18 Jan 2012

Fiji Women's Rights Movement cautious over new decree

6:16 pm on 18 January 2012

The Fiji Women's Rights Movement says it remains cautious after the interim regime released a new public order decree after lifting the Public Emergency Regulations.

Its executive director, Virisila Buadromo, says it believes the only change brought in by the decree is the granting of wider unfettered powers to the police and the military.

Ms Buadromo says her organisation wishes to participate in legitimate constitutional and electoral processes.

She also says the freedom of movement is a basic human right and denial of it results in the violation of other rights and does not encourage political participation.

She says on previous occasions, her organisation was told it required no permit to meet, only to be shut down later.