Amnesty International has raised serious concerns over the situation in Fiji in its 2008 report launched today highlighting the human rights situation in 160 countries in the world.

In its report Amensty International said it is concerned the deportation of Fiji Sun Publisher Russel Hunter and Fiji TImes Publisher Evan Hannah reflected a wider and alarming pattern of violations of the right to freedom of expression.

The Organisation said it duly notes the threats, intimidation and travel bans against media representatives and critics of the interim government, including prominent lawyers and human rights activists since December 2006.

Amnesty International said it is also appalled at the manner in which a Court order to produce Evan Hannah in court was ignored and disobeyed by government officials and this act by civil servants is deplorable and seriously undermines the integrity and independence of the Judiciary.

It said it is gravely concerned at the amendments to the Immigration Act which prohibits any appeal against the Ministers decision to issue a deportation order against some. Amnesty International said the legality of this provision is highly questionable and is disguised to deny the courts the power to scrutinize decisions made by the public officers.

It calls on the interim government to immediately invite the Special Rapportuer on the Independence of the Judiciary and Lawyers to undertake a mission to the country to consider the situation relating to the integrity and independence of the Judiciary.
A total of 1.8 billion youths between the age of 10 and 24 are at the risk of getting cancer and smoking related diseases.

These are the comments from Corrine Capuano, the World Health Organisation representative at the launching of the 2008 World No Smoking Day celebrations at the University of the South Pacific.

Speaking at the launching Doctor Capuano said these youths are at risk due to the carefully planned advertising by tobacco companies and calls for more planning by Governments to counter these advertising tactics.

However, Director Public Health, Doctor Timaima Tuiketei said a Fiji Global youth survey conducted in 1999 and 2005 showed a decrease in the number of youths smoking in Fiji.

Tuiketei reveals that in 1999 there was 37.2% whereas in 2005 there were 22.1%. However, she adds that the fight to decrease these figures will still continue.

Meanwhile, the latest stats from the Ministry of health reveals that 42.7 percent of the people in the country smoke cigarettes on a daily basis.

There is strong evidence that smoking doubles the risk of developing renal cell carcinoma which researchers say is a major contributing factor to cancer. The World No Tobbaco Day is this Saturday.