Public Order Decree to deter civil disobedience

To deter civil disobedience after the lifting of the Public Emergency Regulation, the general public should be aware that the Public Order Decree 2012 is in place.

The Public Order Decree 2012 states that a permit must be obtained for public meetings and that an application needs to be lodged seven days from the event at any police station.

With a permit granted the event must be in accordance with the permit conditions and that any breach will be considered an offence.  

The Prime Minister, Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said the Public Order Act has been in place since Independence and is now modernized through the Public Order Decree 2012.

He added this modernisation is necessary to effectively address terrorism, offenses against public order and safety, racial and religious vilification, hate speech, and economic sabotage.

A person breaching the Public Order Act can be detained for 48 hours however if it is deemed necessary by the Commissioner of Police detainment can be for up to 14 days.

Detainment more than 14 days will require the court’s involvement.


Story by: Ronal Deo & William Waqavakatoga