24 May 2012

Amnesty report says Fiji severely restricted freedoms in 2011

12:37 pm on 24 May 2012

Amnesty International says last year the Fiji Government was responsible for severe restriction of the freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly.

The assessment is in the human rights organisation's annual report for 2012.

Amnesty also says the regime, which seized power in a military coup in 2006, was also allegedly responsible for the torture and ill-treatment of opposition figures, detainees and human rights advocates.

It says many people have claimed to have been severely beaten during detention by Fiji authorities.

Domestic violence against women and children continues to be of concern in Fiji, with reports of violence increasing significantly in 2011 compared to the same periods a year before.