Public order Amendment bill

Fiji Parliament passes Public Order Amendment bill

Meeting and March organizers will now only need to apply for a permit if they're planned for a public park or road.

Until now, a permit had also been required for gatherings held in community halls or any other public space.

Fiji Village reported the legislation would still allow the police to stop a meeting or procession if it was in the interest of law and order.

The Public Order Act was controversially amended in 2012 under the then military-led government.

Opposition figures criticised the changes, saying people were too fearful to attend meetings.