A northern chief's decision stopping villagers from travelling on Sundays except to church gatherings is violating human rights of Freedom of Movement, Freedom of Religion and Belief, and the Right to Life and Liberty.

In a statement Citizen Constitutional Forum's CEO, Akuila Yabaki said the practice of the Sunday Ban was removed in Fiji because it was interfering in people's life and restricting people's movements and choice of activities.

Yabaki adds the new Sunday Ban has created problems for people from Cawaro Village at Udu Point and students have not been able to go to school as a result of the ban.

Yabaki stressed they were particularly appalled that this Chief is enforcing the Sunday ban because he wants to force the people of his village to go to church.

Yabaki goes on to say that Religious beliefs and practices are a matter of choice and we are free to choose to follow a religion. We are also free to choose not to follow religious practices. This Yabaki says is guaranteed through the clause on Freedom of Religion and Belief in the Constitution.