Serious concerns are being raised after changes have been made to the Immigration Act which now state that the decision of the Immigration Minister to order someone's removal or deportation from the country cannot be challenged in court.
According to Ousted Leader of Opposition Mick Beddoes the interim government's move reeks of an attempt to cover up the deportation of Fiji Sun Publisher and Managing Director Russell Hunter last week.
Citizens Constitutional Forum Executive Director Reverend Akuila Yabaki said despite the changes made to the Immigration Act the interim government must still comply with the earlier court injunction regarding Hunter's deportation.
Fiji Law Society President Isireli Fa when contacted today said it is a sensitive issue and they will make a statement later.
The President Ratu Josefa Iloilo has made a promulgation gazzetted February 26th 2008 to amend the Immigration Act which now prohibits any legal challenge of decisions made by the Minister responsible relating to Removal orders.
The promulgation which was done a day after Fiji Sun Publisher and Managing Director Russel Hunter was deported states that any decision by the Minister responsible for issuing Deportation and Removal Orders under the Immigration Act is final and conclusive and shall not be questioned or reviewed in any court of law.
Interim Minister for Immigration and Defense Ratu Epeli Ganilau said there is no sinister motive behind the deportation of Russel Hunter and the promulgation the next day. According to Ratu Epeli it was just a coincidence.
Ratu Epeli maintains that the reasons for Hunter's deportation will not be made public. However, he confirms that while a deportation order would have taken days to executed, the Removal Order required Hunter to be removed as soon as possible.
He said that is why Hunter was detained the same night.
Concerns raised after change in Act
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