Threats, attacks appall Fiji Law Society

Transcript

The Fiji Law Society has urged respect for the rule of law following claims by a Lautoka lawyer he and his associates have been threatened and people close to him attacked.

Aman Ravindra-Singh says security forces were behind the attacks because he is acting for dozens of people accused of sedition.

The Society says no matter how unpopular the client's cause, lawyers are duty bound to act in their clients' best interests and it hopes the matter is investigated.

The Law Society's Laurel Vaurasi told Sally Round the conduct claimed by Mr Ravindra-Singh is disgraceful.

LAUREL VAURASI:  Well the Law Society is definitely appalled by the allegations that are made considering the assault and intimidation of Aman and his staff.  To that end we have issued out a press statement clearly stating that we do not condone such violence or intimidation against any lawyer or any member of the bar or any member of the public for that matter.

SALLY ROUND:  Would the society be offering him any support?

LV:  We haven't had any direct contact by Mr Singh although I have tried to contact him and left messages but the support we've given is issuing a press statement and also there was a call for lawyers to attend the sedition case that was in Lautoka yesterday, the next town that he appeared and members of the Law Society also have attended in support of Mr Aman Singh.

SR:  Mr Ravindra-Singh that in police stations around the country that Fiji citizens are being abused.  He mentioned slapped, punched, kicked, intimidated.  Is the Law Society aware of this?

LV:  We have not any direct complaints to that affect and if these incidents have happened like he said we would have heard of it.  It is quite general in nature to say that these incidents throughout the various police stations in Fiji.

SR:  You question those claims?

LV:  I do because there have not been any complaints made to us and they are quite general in nature, otherwise we would have different people or different lawyers who would have brought it to the Fiji Law Society's attention.

SR:  Will your society be making any representations to the Fjii government on the threat and attack claims made by him?

LV:  Firstly, Aman Singh has not approached the Fiji Law Society.  He is not a member of our society to start with but because he is a member of the bar we have put out a press statement stating clearly that we do not condone what has happened to him.  We do not agree with any intimidation of whatever sort or for any lawyer that is representing his client.  No lawyer should be subject to such violent intimidation or any such behaviour.