No permit required for meetings: AG

There will be no permit required to conduct any meeting as of today provided the meeting is not on a public road, public parks, playground and sporting arena, says Fiji's Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

Sayed-Khaiyum revealed this while announcing the new laws pertaining to the Constitutional Commission and the Constituent Assembly.

He said the government is suspending section 8 of the Public Order Amendment Decree (POAD) 2012 until the assembly submits the constitution draft to the President of Fiji.

Section 8 of the POAD requires for anyone to apply for a permit if conduct public meetings.

He said this will allow free dialogue for the constitution consultation.

The government will only interfere on the meeting if it is a threat to public security and using the opportunity to disturb peace.

He said there will be no more need to apply to the Commissioner of Police for permit.

The new law which came into effect today includes the function, procedure and composition of the constituent assembly.

By Ropate Valemei