The Fiji Police Force clarified that people who have private functions like weddings and cocktail parties do not need a permit under the Public Order Amendment Decree.
Police Chief Operations Officer, ACP Henry Brown said it is clearly stated in the decree that the Police will only intervene if people attending a function are discussing or plotting actions that would disrupt public order.
ACP Brown said the Public Order Amendment Decree has offences that are also in line with the Crimes Decree.
He said the Police have also clearly explained to organizations like the Methodist Church on when they need a permit.
It has been stated that no church services will require a permit.
The Public Order Act which has been in place since 1969 has been modernised under the decree.
However the 1969 Public Order Act which has been in force in Fiji since that year clearly stated that the Minister may, if it appears to him to do so in the interest of public safety and maintenance of public order, at any time prohibit the holding of any assembly in any place, whether such place is a public place or not.
Only religious ceremonies at places of worship are exempt from this under the Act.
The 1969 Act, which has been in force also defines assembly as any gathering of three or more persons assembled for a common purpose and a procession means a procession of five or more persons or three or more vehicles.
The unlawful assembly section in the Act has also been in place since the law came into force.
This states that any meeting or procession convened or taking place in a public place for which no permit has been issued, shall be deemed to be an unlawful assembly.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
Private functions do not require a permit
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