Two prominent international legal organizations, the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) and LAWASIA, have expressed significant concern regarding the recent developments in Fiji concerning the Fiji Law Society. In a joint statement released on June 10, 2025, the organizations condemned any plans to prosecute senior officials of the Law Society, including President Wylie Clarke and immediate past President Laurel Vaurasi, arguing that such actions would violate essential international norms meant to protect the independence of the legal profession.
The alarm was raised following a media release from the Law Society on June 1, which highlighted the potential criminal charges against both officials, stemming from allegations of obstructing justice and perverting the course of justice. These allegations relate to events surrounding the arrest of Barbara Malimali, who served as the Commissioner of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
In their statement, CLA and LAWASIA stressed that both Clarke and Vaurasi were acting within their official capacities when they visited FICAC’s offices in response to Malimali’s arrest on September 5, 2024. The Law Society had earlier expressed apprehensions about the independence and impartiality of FICAC, warning that the situation could erode public trust in the justice system.
Following the arrest, a Commission of Inquiry (COI) was set up to investigate Malimali’s appointment. The COI report, completed in May 2025, led to her suspension and removal based on the Prime Minister’s advice. However, the Law Society contested the legitimacy of these actions, citing concerns regarding the lack of transparency in the COI’s findings, which have reportedly not been made public, preventing those affected from responding to allegations against them.
Both organizations highlighted that pursuing criminal charges against the Law Society’s leaders would contravene international legal principles, such as the ‘UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers’ from 1990, which mandate that governments must ensure lawyers can perform their duties free from harassment or interference.
The shared hope from these legal entities is that such discussions might not only safeguard the interests of legal professionals in Fiji but could also spearhead the necessary reforms for governance, ultimately reinforcing public confidence in the integrity of the legal and political systems.
The emerging dialogue between international legal bodies and Fijian authorities illustrates a desire for transparency and fairness in governance. If acted upon, it holds the potential to strengthen the rule of law in Fiji and restore the public’s faith in its institutions.
Leave a comment