The New Zealand Law Society says comments from the Fiji prime minister about 'crushing' any disloyalty are chilling.
Fiji Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama Photo: RNZI / Vosita Kotoiwasawasa
In August Frank Bainimarama warned of severe punishment for anyone joining attempts to form a breakaway state.
Listen to interview with Austin Forbes QC on Dateline Pacific
The New Zealand Law Society is also concerned about complaints by a Fijian lawyer that he's been threatened by security forces over his involvement in high profile sedition cases.
Aman Ravindra-Singh is representing dozens of people, some accused of trying to set up a sovereign Christian state in Fiji and others alleged to have taken part in a para-military style group.
The New Zealand Law Society's, Austin Forbes QC, says Mr Bainimarama's comments were unhelpful when matters are before the courts.
"Terms that may have be used [by Frank Bainimarama] in this regard is that these people will be 'crushed' - that's a bit of a chilling comment. People should be entitled to exercise in a proper and lawful way their rights in terms of protest, in terms of seeking whatever they are looking for as to the political or social make-up of the country."