Some police officers are not committed to their words - FHRC

The Fiji Human Rights Commission says it is obvious some police officers are not committed to their words.

Commission Chairman Justice Mohammed Ajmeer says he addressed the police officers in Lautoka a week ago explaining to them about the need to abstain from torture and brutality.

He says the officers agreed to refrain from using force and had said there will be no such cases repeated yet within a week we see a case of alleged police brutality.

This follows the alleged beating of a Lautoka internet outlet owner by police officers.

Justice Ajmeer says the Fijian Government has committed and agreed to sign the United Nations Convention Against Torture and this should be respected by the security forces especially the Police Force who are supposed to uphold the Rule of Law.

He says due to these actions, the general public has lost faith in the Police Force.

Justice Ajmeer has called on the Acting Police Commissioner to raise awareness in the Force that each time officers commit such acts, they contravene Section 11.1 of the Constitution that guarantees each person the right to freedom from torture of any kind and from cruel, inhumane, degrading severe treatment.

Justice Ajmeer says the Commission looks forward to the report of investigation being conducted by the Police Force and is hopeful that the Force shows commitment not to repeat such offences that is disempowering to the general public.

Acting Commissioner, Sitiveni Qiliho says no one should jump to conclusions as investigations are underway to determine who assaulted the Lautoka man.