MEDIA
RELEASE
22 May 2003
“HRDMT
CONDEMNS NEW BAN ON ‘TAIMI ‘O TONGA’”
The
Human Rights & Democracy Movement in Tonga
today condemned the new ban placed on the “Taimi ‘o
Tonga” newspaper. This new ban came
in the form of a new Ordinance adopted by HM The
King and the Privy Council on 16 May 2003 gazzetted
on 21st May and surfaced on 22nd May during the
Supreme Court hearing of the application for judicial
review of a similar Ordinance promulgated on 4
April 2003. The new Ordinance effectively revoked “Taimi ‘o
Tonga’s” trading licence as from 21st
May 2003.
Speaking
on behalf of the HRDMT, Lopeti Senituli said, “We
condemn in the strongest terms the Privy Council’s
latest action. Although we had anticipated that
the Privy Council could take such course of action,
its audacity is still frightening”.
The
Supreme Court had started hearing Taimi ‘o
Tonga’s application for judicial review
of the earlier Ordinance on 21st May and counsels
for both parts were making furial oral submissions
this morning when the new Ordinance was brought
to the Court’s attention.
Chief
Justice Ward informed the Court that he would conclude
the present case and plans to hand down his decision
on the previous Ordinance early next week. In the
meantime he expects to receive new submissions
on the new Ordinance. The legal counsels for the
Government declared that they knew nothing of the
new Ordinance and would need time to receive new
instructions.
Senituli
also said that the office of the Chief Justice
has in the past few weeks come under intense scrutiny
from the newspaper “Tonga Star” and
OBN-TV station’s “Check it Out Programme”.
These media outlets have questioned the desirability
of an expatriate Chief Justice and also questioned
the position’s salary package”.
Senituli
concluded saying “The HRDMT will stand by
its earlier decision to allow the judicial process
to complete its course before making a decision
on civil disobedience”.
For further information please contact: Lopeti Senituli on phone 25501 (office)
or mobile 18545 after hours
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