HomeNewsLegal/General News LAWASIA Statement on Refusal of Fiji Regime to Allow Lawyers to Hold Their Annual Convention
LAWASIA Statement on Refusal of Fiji Regime to Allow Lawyers to Hold Their Annual Convention
Monday, 14 November 2011 09:29am
LAWASIA, the Law Association for Asia and the Pacific, notes with regret that the interim government of Fiji has declined permission for its member organisation, the Fiji Law Society, to hold its annual convention later in the year.
The Fiji Law Society convention is a yearly gathering of lawyers and a much-anticipated event in the legal calendar. It often attracts overseas as well as local participants including judges and senior members of the Bar. Typically, senior practitioners present lectures and seminars at the convention, contributing to the continuing education and training of lawyers.
There are well-established international legal principles that guarantee the freedom of expression and association of lawyers, which constitutes one of the essential requirements for the proper functioning of the legal profession. Although all persons enjoy these freedoms, they acquire a special importance in the case of persons involved in the administration of justice.
Principle 23 of the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers clearly sets out these freedoms: “Lawyers like other citizens are entitled to freedom of expression, belief, association and assembly. In particular they shall have the right to take part in public discussion of matters concerning the administration of justice and the promotion and protection of human rights and to join or form local, national or international organizations and attend their meetings.”
Under international law, it is the duty of the State to abstain from interfering with the enjoyment of the right of lawyers to meet peaceably and to discuss matters of interest to the profession as a whole.
LAWASIA expresses its disappointment that the Fiji Law Society has been denied permission to hold its annual conference. This annual event represents an opportunity for Fiji lawyers to discuss the various challenges facing the legal profession and the country as a whole. It would also have enabled lawyers to obtain credits towards their continuing legal education, which would facilitate the issuance of their licence to practise law in the coming year.
LAWASIA strongly urges the interim government of Fiji to seriously consider reviewing, if not, repealing the Public Emergency Regulations currently in place. They have a dampening effect on the exercise of the fundamental human rights and freedoms of Fiji citizens, including lawyers.
These Regulations are continuing to undermine the rule of law in Fiji and their removal will greatly assist a return to constitutionalism and good governance. Further, whilst the regulations remain in force, LAWASIA urges the interim government of Fiji not to use them to prevent the holding of legal or religious conferences arranged by reputable organisations.
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LAWASIA, the Law Association for Asia and the Pacific, notes with regret that the interim government of Fiji has declined permission for its member organisation, the Fiji Law Society, to hold its annual convention later in the year.
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