23 Feb 2015

Fiji groups urge ratification of torture treaty

7:30 pm on 23 February 2015

Women's groups in Fiji say the 2013 torture video and other instances of alleged torture have underlined the need for Fiji to ratify the UN Convention Against Torture.

Fiji Live reports the Fiji Women's Rights Movement and the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre were among community groups presenting their views today at a parliamentary committee hearing submissions on the issue.

The Red Cross, the Fiji Muslim League and the Hindu organisation Sanatan Pratinidhi Sabha Fiji also made submissions urging ratification.

Fiji's police and military forces are due to present their submissions on Tuesday.

Several countries called on Fiji to urgently ratify the international agreement at a hearing of the Human Rights Council in Geneva earlier this year.

A video showing a handcuffed man being beaten reportedly by security forces went viral in 2013 and is still being investigated.

Video footage of a man allegedly being beaten by Fiji security personnel in 2012.

Video footage of a man allegedly being beaten by Fiji security personnel in 2012. Photo: RNZ