Censorship: New Zealand Law Society Bans Fijian Job Ads

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Feb 07, 2012, 02:37 ET

SUVA, Fiji, Feb. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The New Zealand Law Society ("NZLS") is banning the Fijian Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) from advertising legal positions in its magazine, Law Talk.

In an email to the Office of the DPP last week, the legal society declared that "The New Zealand Law Society Board has decided unanimously that the NZLS will not accept advertisement for legal position in Fiji under the current interim military regime."

The Fijian Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Christopher Pryde, said it was inappropriate for the NZLS to involve itself in politics by preventing
New Zealand lawyers from hearing about job vacancies in Fiji's office of the DPP. Mr. Pryde is a citizen of New Zealand.

"People charged with offences by the Police need to be prosecuted through the courts," Mr. Pryde said. "What shall we do with people charged with rape or robbery or murder? Send them to New Zealand?"

Mr. Pryde says the censorship is pure hypocrisy. "By refusing to allow us the right to advertise, the NZLS is effectively censoring the right of New Zealand lawyers to know about Fiji. It is unfortunate that New Zealand lawyers are being denied the opportunity to decide for themselves whether they wish to take up legal positions in Fiji.

Fortunately, Mr. Pryde notes that Fiji is staffed sufficiently to prosecute cases; however, Fiji always welcomes the diversity and professionalism brought by attorneys from other countries.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is an independent office and non-political. The Director of Public Prosecutions has the sole
responsibility for criminal prosecutions in Fiji. This is without recourse to any Government minister, including the Attorney-General.

Mr. Pryde said he believes that the NZLS has an inaccurate picture of Fiji, particular of the judiciary and the courts—contributing to the broader
regional prejudices and misconceptions that exist about Fiji.