Heated debate takes place in parliament today

Heated debate took place in parliament today as parliamentarians were speaking on the motion for parliament to appoint a Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the cases of brutality by the police and military officers resulting in the injury and/or death of citizens in the last decade and further to that, implement recommendations of the Judicial Commission.

SODELPA MP Mosese Bulitavu moved the motion and said that they should seek answers to make everyone realize that people need to value human rights, human dignity and human life.

Bulitavu says this is to bring out the truth and reconcile and unite the Fijian people.

He says there are reports where police or military officers assaulted or murdered people and these issues need to be talked about when the commission is formed.

Acting Prime Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says the maturity of any country depends on one’s ability to be able to truly and in a very factual manner discuss what actually happened in its history, to recognise that, to come to terms with that and to move on.

He says people should also not forget the brutality cases in 1987 and 2000.

Sayed-Khaiyum says the Prime Minister is the only public official to talk about the “Buturaki” culture and has clearly stated that there is no state sanctioned torture.

He says there are preventative and redress measures now in place through the constitution and other laws.

Sayed-Khaiyum says the government is also working with the British government and Scotland Yard on the first hour procedure and training and upskilling officers.

He says pilot programmes have also started with video recordings of police interviews.

Sayed-Khaiyum stressed that cases of police and military officers have been dealt with where they have been charged, convicted and sentenced.

He says the Police Commissioner has also come out publicly that officers will be disciplined if they are involved in brutality cases.

He says the Judicial Commission is unnecessary.

SODELPA MP Niko Nawaikula said that they do not accept the constitution and what Sayed-Khaiyum is saying.

Nawaikula was then asked to withdraw his comments when he said that only two people are making all the decisions.

Nawaikula then made a false comment about iTaukei land ownership and this resulted in further debate.

Nawaikula then continued saying that he was talking about iTaukei land management and also said that the name Fijian has been taken away for the Itaukei.

The opposition’s motion was defeated.