The Law Society of England and Wales has today reiterated its concerns about the lack of transparency in the legal system of Fiji, following the failure of Fijian authorities to respond to the Law Society's offer to participate in an international delegation to the country.
The Law Society's offer comes after Fiji's director of public prosecutions, Christopher Pryde, invited the chair of the Law Society Charity to return to Fiji 'to get a more balanced picture of the Fiji legal system', as reported by Radio New Zealand International (7 March 2012).
The Chair of the Charity Nigel Dodds interviewed lawyers, former judges and prosecutors on a private visit to Fiji in November 2011 and found that there was no rule of law, no freedom of expression and that the independence of the judiciary could not be relied upon. Dodds by-passed a strict blockade on monitoring visits of the situation in the country, which had seen representatives of the United Nations and the International Bar Association refused entry.
Dodds' findings were published in the Law Society Charity's report 'Fiji - The Rule of Law Lost' early this year and accepted by the Law Society in a resolution passed by its governing Council on 17 May 2012.
The Law Society has now taken up the issue where the Charity left off, with Law Society President John Wotton responding to Pryde's invitation on the 21 May 2012. The Law Society has yet to receive a response.
Law Society president, John Wotton said:
'Action, or in this case inaction, speaks louder than words, and so it seems as though the Fijian authorities were not serious in their invitation. Far from it; they appear hesitant in accepting our offer of an in-depth investigation into transparency and the rule of law in the country.
'We remain willing to participate in a delegation to Fiji to carry out a more in-depth investigation, provided that the invitation is extended to include other prominent international organisations, including the International Bar Association.
'The Law Society is also willing to facilitate dialogue, contacts and technical assistance, with the ultimate aim of building Fijian justice institutions so that everyone in Fiji can have confidence in them to provide effective justice solutions.'
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Notes to Editors:
The Law Society of England and Wales is the independent representative for solicitors, established in 1825. The Society works globally to support and represent its members, promoting the highest professional standards and the rule of law.
Contact: Press Officer, Steve Rudaini, The Law Society
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