The NGO Coalition on Human Rights says it is crucial for government to enable a conducive environment for political debates in the build up towards the 2018 general elections.
The coalition says it is deeply concerned with the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Bill.
They believe that the bill severely restricts criticism of the parliament and is a direct violation of the Constitutional Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression.
The NGO Coalition believes that criticising government’s service delivery and performance does not necessarily threaten national security, public safety, public order or public morality.
It says this enables people’s right to hold government accountable for its performance and would assist the citizens of Fiji to make informed decisions about their choice of Government.
