A human rights lawyer in Fiji says the detention of three New Zealand journalists two weeks ago has highlighted the frequency of unlawful detention in Fiji.
The Newsroom team was kept overnight after trying to interview the resort developer accused of damaging Malolo island but they were released after the prime minister intervened.
Frank Bainimarama then apologised to the trio in person saying there would be an investigation into what he called rogue police over the incident.
Lawyer Aman Ravindra-Singh claims unlawful detention is commonplace for locals in Fiji.
Newsroom co-editor Mark Jennings, investigations editor Melanie Reid and cameraman Hayden Aull at morning tea with Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho. Photo: RNZ/Lice Movono
