An international legal body says lawyers in Fiji are unhappy about a lack of independence in their profession and in the judiciary.
The International Bar Association has released its report on the rule of law in Fiji, highlighting concerns about the interim regime's efforts to influence the judiciary, the legal profession and the media.
The IBA Human Rights Institute co-chairman Justice Richard Goldstone says the IBA delegation spoke with lawyers who were fearful of political interference.
"There is fear that a number of attorneys have been acted against as a consequence of them criticising the government. Some leading attorneys for that reason have lost government work which they used to get so there's general unhappiness amongst many of the lawyers at the lack of independence both of their profession now, and of the judiciary and I might add of the media who have also been acted against."
Justice Richard Goldstone says the report recommends that the interim government hold elections as soon as possible, and that there should be no further judicial appointments before a democratically elected government is in place.
