Vucago’s Constitutional Redress case to be called next month for directions
he case of former Public Health Inspector, Nanise Vucago has been adjourned to next month for directions by the Civil High Court.
The matter was called before Judge, Chief Justice Kamal Kumar.
Vucago appeared in person and filed a Constitutional Redress case against the Commissioner of Police, Minister and the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, and the Attorney-General.
From the 13 orders that Vucago is seeking, the highlighted ones are:
A declaration that Vucago’s Constitutional freedom of speech and to express her thoughts and opinion under Section 17 of the Fijian Constitution 2013, on the administration of the COVID-19 public health protocols and its vaccination mandates in the social media were violated and breached by the Commissioner of Police and/ or his servants or agents when they arrested, detained and charged her;
A declaration that Vucago’s Constitutional freedom of choice to live or not to live under Section 8 and the freedom from cruel and degrading treatment under Section 11 of the Fijian Constitution 2013, were violated and breached by the vaccination mandate imposed by the Minister and Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services, Minister for Employment and the Attorney-General and/ or their servants or agents;
A declaration that Vucago’s Constitutional freedom to work and participate in the economic life of the state under Section 32 and equality below the law under Section 26 of the Fijian Constitution 2013, were violated and breached by the Minister and Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services, Minister for Employment and the Attorney-General by the imposition of the arbitrary “no jab, no job” policy and by the making of the Health and Safety at Work (General Workplace Conditions) (Amendment) Regulation 2021;
An order annulling the arrest, detention, and charge by the Commissioner of Police and an order that the Commissioner of Police withdraws the charge against Vucago;
An order annulling the Health and Safety at Work (General Workplace Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 for its violation of the Fijian Constitution 2013.
In court on Friday, counsel Seema Chand from the Attorney-General’s Chambers told the court that there was a similar case filed on Constitutional Redress and sought time to seek instructions on both matters.
Vucago told the court that public health was a sensitive and serious matter and sought for the court to hear the matter earlier.
Chief Justice Kumar said the issues raised were quite serious and needed to be properly considered.
The matter has been adjourned to October 20 for directions.