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Issue No: 664; 8 April 2001
The Qarase regime, which most people in Fiji believe is illegal, is attempting to change existing laws unilaterally. Media reports indicate that the regime is targeting laws relating to land use and tenancy for change. Already the courts in Fiji have ruled that the two Qarase regimes since the attempted coup were illegally in place. The consequence is that the `laws’ it tried to make and enforce are also illegal. Some of these laws concerned the scrapping of Agricultural Landlords and Tenants Act (ALTA), and the transfer of state land to native ownership. The elected Prime Minister has stated that the regime has no legal or moral authority to deal with laws. He stated that under the Constitution, laws can only be enacted, amended and repealed by the Parliament. The regime, on the other hand, had been trying to find ways to bring into force what it calls laws and amendments. Today’s Fiji Times also expressed concern at the regime’s attempt to change laws. It suggested that the regime leave the laws to the elected representatives. Meanwhile
a member of Qarase’s Constitutional Review Commission, Joe Singh, says that
the work of the CRC must continue. This is despite a court order that the work
not proceed any further. Singh indicated that he wants the 1997 Constitution
amended to suit the demands of the right wing nationalists.
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People's Coalition Government - Fiji Islands |
