Geneva — The violence between protesters and the police took place on Tuesday during the sitting of the National Assembly to vote on the Amendment of the Broadcasting and telecommunication Bill 2006. The amendments seek to prohibit all political parties; religious organisations or person(s) affiliated to a political group to own a license to operate a private radio station.

A group of opposition supporters had gathered to protest against the move accusing the ruling SPPF party of robbing their constitutional right of freedom of expression.

They insisted on signing a petition calling for a no vote anal the amendment bill before it is passed.

The police said the protest was illegal and responded by using rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowd.

A move condemned by the international media rights body 'Reporters Without Borders' as 'excessive.'

The Opposition Leader Wavel Ramkalawan was assaulted and wounded during the unrest and was hostipalised together with four others.

The health authorities reported that 25 people reported for medical treatments, whilst police detained SNP's Secretary General Roger Mancienne.

The government argued that allowing the opposite might incite future unrest, giving the cause of the Rwandan genocide as an example.

In his address before the assembly the minister for technology Jacquelin Dugasse says the move was to stop the Seychelles National Party (SNP)'s attempt to launch it's own radio station.

"Seychelles is not inventing an undemocratic rule. South Africa, Mauritius and the United Kingdom have similar laws and they are all democratic models," say Dugasse.

But Mr Ramkalawan characterised the move as unconstitutional and said the debate is much larger than banning particular interest groups. He objected to the R800, 000 ($149, 000) annual radio license fee and labeled the national broadcaster, SBC the 'government mouthpiece.' "If the SBC was fulfilling its mandate objectively, Seychelles would not need another radio station. Above all, through its signatory of the various international conventions, the government should safeguard the people's right to freedom of expression."

The amendment was approved unanimously in the absence of the opposition members, who walked out in protest over the manner in which the police handled the demonstration.