Press Release – Fiji Women’s Rights Movement

The NGO Coalition on Human Rights has condemned the severe brutality inflicted on the two men in video footage that has gone viral on social media. With allegations that the security forces are responsible for these gross human rights violations, …

NGO Coalition on Human Rights Condemns Security Forces Brutality
The NGO Coalition on Human Rights has condemned the severe brutality inflicted on the two men in video footage that has gone viral on social media. With allegations that the security forces are responsible for these gross human rights violations, the NGO Coalition is calling for a full investigation and a public enquiry into the issue. “This video demonstrates the inhumane treatment of people at the hands of the security forces and shows the total lack of respect for human life and dignity. This is totally unacceptable and those in positions of power owe the people of this country an explanation,” said Shamima Ali, Chair of the Coalition.
“Article 5 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights says that No on shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and this is a non-derograble right which means it cannot be taken away from people. So, any argument of resisting arrest does not hold water and cannot and should not be used or even accepted as a justification,” said Ali.
The NGO Coalition says that just because they were escaped prisoners that did not give security forces the right to beat them up in such a manner. “Article 7 of the UDHR says that all people are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration so clearly the rights of these men were being violated and they were not given the opportunity to access justice as they should have. The members of the security forces acted as judge and jury in a very archaic and inhumane manner,” said Ali.
The NGO Coalition says that it welcomes the fact that the Police Commissioner is going to make a statement on the matter because the public has a right to know what is happening and what will be done about it.
The NGO Coalition says that the state is accountable to the people and if they were genuinely concerned about the rights of its people, they must condemn these human rights violations and conduct a full investigation. “We are demanding that a public enquiry be conducted and the panel conducting the enquiry needs to include civilians who are not from the security forces. There should also be a definite timeframe and their report needs to be made public as soon as possible. We are also calling for an independent medical report be prepared as a part of this public enquiry.”
The NGO Coalition says that the enquiry should go further to look at brutality by the security forces. “We’re getting reports that people are being randomly picked up and abused by various members of the security forces and this is all part of the culture of violence that is being promoted through such brutality. This has got to stop – we are sinking further and further into oblivion with the lack of respect for the rule of law” said Ali.
The NGO Coalition said that the basic dignity and protection of rights of each individual should be upheld. “The violation of the rights of these men should not be allowed to go unaddressed. Justice has to be served”.
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