PUBLIC EMERGENCY REGULATION EXTENDED

Acting Fijian President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau announced on 13 October 2009 that the Public Emergency Regulation (PER) has been extended until 5 November. The ruling military junta implemented the PER on 10 April after the Fijian Constitution was abrogated and many court justices were dismissed. The PER is an official order that gives the government power to regulate certain broadcasts and publications that may be critical of the country’s ruling military. President Nailatikau, acting at the behest of Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama and other military leaders, has extended the PER several times throughout 2009. The government claims that the PER is still needed because ongoing political disputes have threatened government plans to move the country back to democracy.