The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour is concerned over the re-imposition of the state of emergency in Fiji.

In a press statement, the High Commissioner said such far-reaching restrictions of rights may only be introduced in time of a public emergency when the life and existence of the nation is threatened.

Arbour said the impact of the measures imposed in Fiji is heightened by the increased pressure being placed on the independence of the country's judiciary. The statement said that 6 expatriate Court of Appeal judges resigned last week to protest the Acting Chief Justice's handling of administrative matters of the Court.

Meanwhile the High Commissioner also underlined the need for the Fiji Human Rights Commission to play an effective and independent role in addressing current human rights challenges in Fiji, fully inline with the international standards applicable to national human rights institutions known as the Paris Principles.