The Fiji Human Rights Commission said the comments by the New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister, Winston Peters on the FHRC Commissioned Media Report is misinformed.
Chairperson Dr. Shaista Shameem said Peters should not make comments of the sort on the eve of the Pacific Island Forum Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Auckland.
Shameem adds Peters should tend to his own backyard first.
Peters had earlier said the media report commissioned by the Fiji Human Rights Commission recommended actions "at odds with human rights principles".
Peters said the report recommends dismantling the Media Council, licensing the media and establishing a media tribunal funded by a 7 percent tax on advertising.
Also, the new Australian Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith said this is clearly seen as the intimidation of the media.
Meanwhile, Interim Foreign Affairs Minister, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau has confirmed that he will update the Pacific Forum Foreign Ministers on the People's Charter process in their meeting in Auckland tomorrow.
Ratu Epeli said people should know that the People's Charter process is not concluded and the report to the ministers will highlight the work carried out by the National Council for Building a Better Fiji.
The Interim Foreign Minister said it is not a foregone conclusion on what will come out of the processes at the end and he will ask his Pacific counterparts to have patience and bear with the interim government as they intend to get to the end of the road.
Ratu Epeli said he will also highlight to Australia and NZ on how the travel sanctions have hindered the process being undertaken by the interim administration. He said they have not been able to get the right caliber of people coming forward and the lifting of the travel sanctions would assist Fiji.
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Winston Peters comments misinformed-FHRC
