Reverence for King at risk say Tongan leaders

By CLAIRE TREVETT

A controversial bid to alter the Tongan constitution will severely dent the relationship between the King and his subjects, say Tongan community leaders in New Zealand.

The Tongan Government has put a bill before Parliament that would limit freedom of press and expression and quash the right to seek review of Government legislation in the courts.

Critics say the bill - apparently intended to shut Auckland-published newspaper Taimi 'o Tonga - is illegal and breaches human rights.

Broadcaster Will 'Ilolahia has warned there will be an outcry if the bill becomes law. The changes it would bring in conflicted with with basic rights of freedom of the press and of speech set up in the Tongan constitution by the first king in 1875.

"It invites the possibility of people taking up arms and perhaps forming terrorist groups because the powers that be have shown they don't respect the law, so why should the subjects respect the law?"

Mr 'Ilolahia said the changes would bring the monarchy - a highly respected form of government in Tonga - into disrepute.

Tongan people rarely questioned their monarch, but this issue had led to a flood of forthright calls to Pacific Island radio station Niu FM on Wednesday .

"Tonga has a long history of having kings and respect is ingrained in us ...

"Last night, even though we were in New Zealand, I was taken aback by the ferocity of people and the comments that were made.

"Normally, when you make a comment about the royal household, you can make your point, but with respect. That looked like it went out the window last night," Mr 'Ilolahia said.

Auckland-based clergyman Tavake Tupou said the changes were "absolutely childish".

"We're talking about human rights. Somebody needs to do something about it.

"Freedom of speech is the first signpost for a fully democratic society and that's being curtailed in Tonga."

Responses in the Tongan community were likely to be muted - many Tongans would not object as the King was seen as beyond reproach, he said.



The New Zealand High Commission in Tonga was to express disapproval to the Government yesterday but the meeting was postponed until today.

Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff has urged Tonga to ensure that changes to the constitution do not breach human rights. All countries had the right to determine their own constitution and laws, but they had also an obligation to comply with international human rights, he said.

Taimi 'o Tonga publisher Kalafi Moala has applied for an interim injunction to lift a ban imposed by the King on the paper in Tonga.

Tonga's Chief Justice Gordon Ward ruled the February ban unconstitutional. He also declared illegal a subsequent ordinance imposed by King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, sitting as chairman of the Privy Council.

Mr Moala said he would keep fighting to have his bi-weekly paper on shop shelves in Tonga.

Tongans in Auckland yesterday were divided about the constitutional amendment - responses ranged from indignation, to indifference to unequivocal support for the King.