Inquiry into Alleged State Brutality on Prison Escapees
The NGO Coalition on Human Rights expresses its grave concern over the leg amputation of prison escapee Epeli Qaraniqio
as confirmed in media reports yesterday evening. Qaraniqio and other fellow inmates were allegedly subjected to violent
attacks by members of the security forces during their apprehension over a month ago and since then family members have
been denied the right to visit them in hospital.
“This is a total violation of human rights and an abuse of power by the disciplined forces and we call for the immediate
investigation and accountability of those officers who are responsible for perpetrating such gross brutality on these
prisoners”, said Shamima Ali, Chair of the NGO Coalition on Human Rights.
“We also demand a credible and transparent process with non-censored media reporting of the process.”
Ali also stated that “Under international customary law and in Fiji’s national legislation, section 38 of the Prisons
and Corrections Act (2006) clearly states that No prisoner may be subjected, by way of punishment to corporal punishment in any form; the use of instruments of
restraint; withdrawal of basic food rations or basic toiletry supplies; or a total denial of visitation rights or the
right to communicate with friends, family, medical practitioner or the prisoners chaplain or religious representative, so the use of excessive force and refusal of visitation rights are a direct violation of the provisions in the
legislation”.
“Section 31 of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners adopted by the First United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders, also states that corporal punishment as well as inhuman or degrading punishments are completely prohibited as
punishments for disciplinary offences. And that those applicable rights under the UDHR and the ICCPR also express the “right to freedom of torture, inhuman and degrading treatment” as a non-derogable right, which entails that there are no limitations to these rights and that they cannot be suspended
even in a state of emergency.”
“It is important that the security forces adhere to these standards as their recent actions threaten to undo the
public’s faith in those who are supposed to be upholding the law and that they themselves are not taking part in
criminal behaviour”, says the Coalition Chair.
“It is essential that the Fijian Regime at this point in time of our political history illustrate some semblance of
upholding the rule of law; protecting human rights; and give the democratization process it has embarked upon,
credibility.”
ENDS