Violence not tolerated in Fiji - PM

Violence not tolerated in Fiji - PM

By Vijay Narayan
Friday 28/10/2016
Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama while speaking at the Regional Workshop On The UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment Or Punishment [Photo: Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum]

Violence in any form has no place in Fiji.

Those are the words of Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama while speaking at the Regional Workshop On The UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment Or Punishment.

Bainimarama has stressed that there is no act of torture in Fiji that has been sanctioned by the state.

Bainimarama says that there have been isolated instances in Fiji of individuals or groups from the disciplined forces acting in an undisciplined way and resorting to acts of torture and other forms of punishment that violate the human rights of their fellow citizens.

He says the same conduct has occurred from time to time in the law enforcement agencies of larger democracies, including Australia and New Zealand.

The Prime Minister says that while they can never be condoned, whatever the setting, the difference in Fiji’s case is that such events have been politicised.

Bainimarama says Fiji is being singled out for condemnation, for behaviour that also occurs in the jurisdictions of Fiji’s critics.

He also made it clear that the law enforcement agencies are determined to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Bainimarama also spoke about the recent case of alleged police brutality in Navua and the case regarding the late Vilikesa Soko which is now before the courts.

Bainimarama says we have long had a culture in Fiji of people resorting to violence whether it is against women in the home, instilling discipline in our children or the police attempting to extract confessions from criminal suspects.

While speaking at the regional workshop, Bainimarama also raised the issue that the standard bearer for democracy, the United States of America, has resorted to torture, with the standard objective of protecting itself against a determined and ruthless enemy.

He says while the practice has now been banned by Presidential order, the CIA has admitted using waterboarding against captured terrorist suspects.

Bainimarama also highlighted that Australia is detaining asylum seekers in cruel, inhumane or degrading circumstances in detention centres in Nauru and Manus Island to protect the integrity of its borders.

FEATURE NEWS
Free, fair and unregulated media is vital for genuine democracy—Prof. Prasad
A free, fair and unregulated media is absolutely vital for true and genuine democracy. Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Bi...
5 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
4 men remanded in custody for alleged meth and marijuana possession
The four men who were allegedly found with methamphetamine and marijuana during a drug raid at the Nanuku Settlement in Vatuwaqa on Saturday have ...
25 minutes ago

3 Sakoca residents in custody following seizure of meth, marijuana and items believed to be stolen
Three people residing in Sakoca settlement are in custody following two raids conducted by Police in the settlement yesterday, which resulted in the ...
34 minutes ago

Heavy Rain Warning and Flash Flood Alert for small streams and low lying flash flood prone areas of Viti Levu
A Heavy Rain Warning from severe thunderstorms is in force for the Southern parts of Viti Levu from Serua-Namosi through Navua, extending to Suva up ...
1 hour ago

USD$1 Billion cruise ship arrives in Suva with more than a thousand visitors
Fiji is the go-to destination for Australian couple Robin Cooper and her husband, who arrived in Suva this morning via the USD$1 billion-dollar ...
1 hour ago

18-year-old man in custody for allegedly assaulting an elderly woman
An 18-year-old man is in police custody after allegedly assaulting a woman in her 70s at her home in Siberia, Labasa. Assistant Commissioner of ...
2 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Health Minister Dr Lalabalavu on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Health Minister, Doctor Ratu Atonio Lalabalavu on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay ...
6 days ago

PM Rabuka on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan. The in-depth interview will focus on many issues facing the ...
10 days ago

Perth 7s 2025
The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s side finished in 5th place at the HSBC Perth 7s after defeating France 17-5 in the 5th place ...
11 days ago

TOP