By Sarah E. Treptow
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji – The Fiji Law Society (FLS) has announced they would like to be amicus curiae if ousted Prime Minister Lasenia Qarase appeals the recent High Court decision legalizing the 2006 coup that ousted him from office.

Dorsami Naidu, FLS president, thought the decision would “undermine the rule of law, weaken parliamentary democracy and parliamentary institutions rather than strengthen them.”nbsp; The decision was made in response to a panel held in Australia that expressed grave concern about the long-term ramifications of legalizing the coup.

Qarase has said his party hopes to file their appeal before the end of the month.  The party will also be looking for a new Queen’s Counsel because Nye Perram has been appointed judge to the Federal Courts of Australia.

Iliesa Duvuloco, Nationalist Tako Lavo party leader, claims the fight is not over yet and that he hopes justice will prevail.

For more information, please see:
The Fiji Times Online – FLS to join Qarase appeal – 26 October 2008