NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga – Tonga’s Government has elected to renew emergency powers for a further thirty days in parts of capital city.  The acting chief secretary and the secretary to the cabinet, Paula Ma’u, confirmed today that the Public Safety and Public Security Regulations had been extended.  According to Ma’u the regulations were renewed based upon the recommendation by the Minister of Police.

Under these renewed powers the police have the authority to stop and search any vehicle without a warrant, as well as to seek evidence inside of any vehicle.  The powers also allow officers wider authority to make arrests.  These powers have been criticized by international rights organizations for being an abuse of power and an attempt to frustrate the pro-democracy movement.

The emergency powers were originally put into place in November 2006 after a riot broke out in the heart of the capital city of Nuku’alofa.  The riot began when a group broke away from a political reform rally and began looting local businesses.  Throughout the course of the riot 150 businesses, mostly owned by people of Chinese origins, were destroyed.

For more information, please see:

Australian Broadcasting Corporation – Tonga extends emergency rule – 20 February 2009

Radio New Zealand International – Emergency regulations in Tonga rolled over for the 28th time – 20 February 2009

Matangi – Emergency Powers extended another 30 days – 19 February 2009