Gay rights activists in Fiji are accusing the police of homophobia after the first planned pride march through Suva was cancelled at the last minute.
The event was planned to mark International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, following the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Fiji in 2010.
A trustee of Oceania Pride, Roshika Deo, says the group received a permit last month to hold the march last night, but police told them yesterday morning that it had been cancelled.
Ms Deo says police told her that the official who vetted the permit application had not realised what the words homophobia and transphobia referred to.
The police say the march was stopped because of concerns about the safety of participants following recent media attention.
