18 Jan 2013

Fiji's UPP calls parties decree draconian and counter-productive

8:03 am on 18 January 2013

Fiji's United People's Party says the political parties decree is draconian and counter-productive to encouraging political activity.

In a statement, the party's leader, Mick Beddoes, says the statement highlights the political naivety and lack of basic understanding of political party functions by the author of the decree.

He says the decree is consistent with the regimes 'do as I say, not as I do' approach and it is laced with ulterior motives in its design.

Mr Beddoes says the only place where the decree might work is China with its one party system and questions if that's where Fiji is headed, given the new found friendship between the Regime and China.

He says it is another example of the regime's paranoia and acute fear of openly facing the electorate in a free and fair contest.