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Frank Bainimarama - Source: ONE News -
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The last resistance in Fiji's faltering judicial system is about to fall.
ONE News has learned the military government is now moving to control all practising lawyers there, and it comes as people fighting for democracy in Fiji took to the streets of Sydney.
On government orders, court officials have raided Fiji's law society office, taking files and computers.
It's understood that a decree will be issued on Monday disbanding the Law Society.
"Once you cancel that element of independence you don't have an effective judiciary at all. It is a police state just like you had in Nazi Germany," say Peter Williams QC, NZ lawyer.
Williams is no friend of the military government. He was instrumental in freeing New Zealander Ballu Khan, who was badly beaten by police and accused of treason.
It now appears lawyers will have no legal right, unless the military regime says they do.
Fiji's Law Society has been told the government will take over the handling of any complaints, including its own against lawyers. It will also take over issuing them practising certificates.
"The worry for practising lawyers, who have been challenging the current regime, is whether they will get their certificates renewed," says Janet Mason, Fiji Law Society member.
It's expected they won't and therefore will be unable to do their job.
"It's a serious move and it means people may not necessarily be able to get proper representation in Fiji. It's bad enough they are replacing the judges, you won't be able to get your own lawyer now," says Prime Minister John Key.
As Fiji's judicial system is dismantled so too are the rights of the people who live there.
