9 Aug 2014

Govt urged to back Fijian freedoms

6:19 pm on 9 August 2014

The Green Party says the Government needs to push harder for human rights and media freedom in Fiji before the election on 17 September.

Fiji's interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama speaks in Auckland.

Fiji's interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama speaks in Auckland. Photo: AFP

The poll will be the first election since former Fijian commodore Frank Bainimarama's regime seized power in 2006.

Mr Bainimarama campaigned in New Zealand at the weekend for votes from local Fijians, and was heckled by a small number of protesters.

Amnesty International has released a report which documents torture, workers' rights violations and concerns about the lack of government accountability.

The rights watchdog has called for the Fiji Government to "play fair" and respect human rights in the run-up to the poll.

Green Party spokesperson Kennedy Graham said the party welcomed the election but breaches of fundamental human rights are continuing under the Bainimarama regime.