The government said the permit for the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre to conduct its “Reclaim the Night” march tonight has been cancelled based on some information on threats to public order.
In a statement, the Ministry of Information said recent information received by the police indicates that there are threats to public order and the march may represent a significant security risk both for the wider public and those involved.
The government invites the Women's Crisis Centre to resubmit its application to hold the march at a later date.
Meanwhile the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre has expressed disappointment at the cancellation of their annual Reclaim the Night march by the police.
Coordinator, Shamima Ali said they received a call yesterday afternoon from the police informing them that the permit they received on the 19th of last month had been withdrawn due to security reasons.
Ali said the march is about claiming spaces for women and girls in particular around the issue of sexual assaults and the violation of their rights.
Police spokesperson, Inspector Atunaisa Sokomuri stressed that police reviewed the application and decided to withdraw the permit in light of security reasons.
Story by: Vijay Narayan and Filipe Naikaso