Thursday 9 June 2005

Hon Jim Anderton, Progressive leader
Hon Matt Robson MP, Progressive Deputy Leader

Progressive stands in solidarity with Fiji democrats

The Progressive Party stands in solidarity with democratic allies in Fiji who oppose the anti-democratic Reconciliation and Unity Bill which is expected to become law soon.

"The current government in Suva's Reconciliation and Unity Bill is an attack on the inalienable right of Fijian citizens to have a democratic and representative Parliament and government," leader Jim Anderton said.

"The Bill proposes to establish a Reconciliation and Unity Commission which would be empowered to make recommendations to the President to grant amnesty to those involved in Fiji's 2000 coup and their supporters," deputy leader Matt Robson said.

"In other words, it would be empowered to make recommendations that anti-democratic, racist thugs be absolved from being held to account for their crimes," Matt Robson said.

"The responsibility of democrats in New Zealand is to stand together with other democrats in our region and say in one voice that we believe any law to facilitate, pardon or condone unconstitutional violence is an unacceptable attack on freedom and democracy in our region," he said.

ENDS

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