Renown social justice advocate dies in Fiji

A social justice advocate for people living in Fiji's squatter settlements has died.

Catholic priest Father Kevin Barr passed away in Suva on Thursday aged 84.

His death was announced by the head of Fiji's Catholic Church, Archbishop Peter Chong, on social media.

Barr had worked closely with the Housing Assistance Relief Trust and the People's Community Network.

In January 2013, he was reportedly threatened with deportation by the government.

Barr, who had lived in Fiji for almost 40 years, was seen as a supporter of Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama.

But that month, he was subjected to a torrent of abuse after he suggested the Chinese flag could replace the Union Jack on Fiji's planned new flag.

The Immigration Department issued a formal notice to Barr stating he was a "prohibited immigrant due to a breach in his work permit".

In May 2014, he had his testimony invalidated and was found in contempt of court over remarks he made about the government.

Barr was acting as a character witness for the former Prime Minister, Mahendra Chaudhry, whose government was overthrown in the 2000 coup led by George Speight.

Barr claimed "strong voices in the business lobby" wanted Chaudhry out of the way via the coup of May 2000 because he had refused to indulge in "under the table" business dealings.

In January of 2017, he suffered a stroke while in Australia, but he returned to Fiji a year later.

In June last year, Barr claimed a housing project, which started in 2009, was still unfinished because funds were not released on time by the government.

Barr and the People's Community Network was a key figure behind the Lagilagi Housing project which would house squatters from the Jittu Estate in Raiwaqa.

The government had allocated $US6 million for the construction of the homes but Barr said 40 flats remained unfinished as a result of the Housing Minister not releasing funds.

Then Minister Parveen Bala denied Barr's claims saying he was not responsible for handling the funds.

In July this year, the ministry said it was working to obtain the development lease of the housing project.

Current minister, Premila Kumar, said the ministry had faced difficulty in the transfer of the lease.

Kumar said the ministry was conducting a survey to identify those that had paid money for housing units but was not provided with any.

"Government will try and salvage the situation and try to complete the development work and we'll try and find other places for the households who are residing in different areas."

Archbishop Chong said Barr's gift of service to Fiji would be remembered.