The Fiji Times

Training focuses on justice for detained persons

- By FELIX CHAUDHARY

THE Fiji Police Force in partnershi­p with Samoa’s Police Ministry is conducting a fiveday training program this week, focused on access to justice for arrested and detained persons and the prevention of torture in police custody.

Held in Apia, Western Samoa, the training in internatio­nal human rights and best practices for Samoa’s Police Service is facilitate­d by trainers from the Fiji Police Force.

The training is supported by the United Nations Developmen­t Programme (UNDP) in partnershi­p with the British High Commission.

“I am delighted that the British High Commission in Apia has been able to contribute funding to make this training possible as one of the first projects since its opening this year,” said British High Commission­er to Samoa,

David Ward.

“I hope this will be the first of many examples of work which the United Kingdom and Samoa will do together to promote their shared values.”

Samoa Police Commission­er Fuiavaili’ili Egon Keil said the training marked a significan­t step in Samoa’s efforts to ensure that all arrested and detained persons were treated in line with UNCAT and internatio­nal standards.

“We are most grateful to the Fiji Police Force for sharing lessons learned and best practices adopted since ratificati­on of the convention in 2016,” said.

The Fiji Police Force has been engaging in training of trainers in internatio­nal human rights and UNCAT in partnershi­p with UNDP since Fiji’s ratificati­on of the Convention in 2016, to ensure the rights of persons in custody are upheld.

“The Fiji Police Force is pleased to share our experience of implementi­ng UNCAT with our Samoan neighbours and to learn from the Samoan Police Service of their efforts to implement the Convention as forces across the region seek to enhance access to justice for all those in our custody,” said Fiji Police Force Assistant Commission­er Itendra Nair, who was one of the facilitato­rs of the training.

We are most grateful to the Fiji Police Force for sharing lessons... Fuiavaili’ili Egon Keil –

 ?? Picture: SUPPLIED ?? Participan­ts during the internatio­nal human rights and best practices for Samoa’s Police Service training.
Picture: SUPPLIED Participan­ts during the internatio­nal human rights and best practices for Samoa’s Police Service training.

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