Prasad Get Your Facts Right: Raj
The leader of the National Federation Party should get his facts right and stop misleading the nation about the Commission’s position on two pertinent issues: the rights of arrested and detained persons and COVID-19 related restrictions including curfew.
As indicated in the Commission’s response to The Fiji Times on March 31, 2021, the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption is an independent body with powers to arrest, detain and prosecute. If there is an alleged interdiction of his constitutional rights, Mr Padarath has the right to lodge a complaint with the HRADC or alternatively raise these concerns in a court of law.
Irrespective of whether the individual who is alleged to be in conflict with the law is a politician, political activist or an ordinary citizen, the stance of the Commission remains the same.
The rights of arrested and detained persons guaranteed under the Fijian Constitution applies to everyone and if law enforcement agencies have acted in an arbitrary manner, including the allegation that they have abused the 48hour rule, resulting in the diminution of constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms of arrested and detained persons, lodge a complaint with the Commission or raise it in a court of law.
The Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission has issued clear statements in relation to COVID related restrictions including the curfew as well as rights of arrested and detained persons which have been widely publicized.
I draw Hon Prasad’s attention to the following articles:
Do not abuse the power of your uniform: Raj, 26 October 2020, FBC https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/do-not-abuse-thepower-of-your-uniform-raj/
Ali: End Night Curfew, 24 March 2021, The Fiji Times
https://www.fijitimes.com/shamima-curfew-a-humanrights-violation/
Curfew has to go: Fiji NGOs, 26 March 2021, Radio New Zealand
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacificNEws/439208/CurFEw-HAs-tO-GO-fiJI-NGOs
9 Police officers suspended regarding the alleged assault case in Naqia, 24 April 2020, FijiVillage
https://www.fijivillage.com/news/9-police-officerssuspended-regarding-the-alleged-assault-case-in-Naqiafx8r45/
Human rights body investigates claims, 16 November 2018, The Fiji Times
https://www.fijitimes.com/human-rights-body-investigates-claims/
HR Commission open to hear allegations of human rights violations, 1 June 2020, FBC
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/covid-19/hr-commission-open-to-hear-allegations-of-human-rights-violations/
Fijians urged to formally report suspected violations, 3 June 2020, FBC
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fijians-urged-to-formally-report-suspected-violations/
Commission finds use of excessive force in alleged police brutality, 12 May 2020, FBC
HttPs://www.FBCNEws.COM.FJ/NEws/COMMIssION-fiNDs-usEexcessive-force-in-alleged-police-brutality-2/
Three constables charged for alleged brutality, 20 November 2019, FBC
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/3-constables-chargedfor-alleged-involvement-in-brutality/
FHRADC records increase in complaints against police officers, 20 June 2020, FBC
https://www.fbcnews.com.fj/news/fhradc-records-inCrEAsE-IN-COMPLAINts-AGAINst-POLICE-OFfiCErs/
Source: Human Rights and Anti Discrimination Commission