Travel bans are policies of hostility-Gates
Chief Justice Anthony Gates has branded the travel bans placed on Fiji by the Australian and New Zealand Governments as "Policies of Hostility."
Justice Gates said these Policies were formulated following the 2006 coup and the abrogation of the Constitution in April of this year and one of the Policies is to impose travel ban to
Government ministers, military officials, senior civil servants, directors of statutory bodies along with Judges and Magistrates.
Referring to the case where the medical visa application of Family Court Judge, Anjala Wati and her 22 month old son was first rejected by the New Zealand Immigration, Justice Gates said her Visa was only granted after the matter was highlighted in the media.
Justice Gates adds that the though the visa was granted, the character of Judge Wati was questioned and further restrictions placed on her while being in New Zealand.
Meanwhile, Justice Gates confirms receiving a letter last Tuesday from New Zealand Deputy High Commissioner, Todd Cleaver which states that New Zealand's travel ban policy now includes those individuals who are subsequently appointed to the Judiciary.
The Chief Justice also reveals that the same stance has been adopted by Australia after receiving correspondence from Acting Australia High Commissioner, Sara Roberts last Wednesday.
This comes as new appointments to the Judiciary from Sri Lanka who are expected to arrive tomorrow, were not allowed to transit through Australia to take up their new roles in Fiji.
According to Justice Gates what Australia and New Zealand need to understand is that a Judiciary must exist and that all judiciary appointments are made by the President and not by the Fiji Government.
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Travel bans are policies of hostility-Gates
