19 Feb 2007

Amnesty calls on Fiji's interim administration to respect human rights

5:47 am on 19 February 2007

Amnesty International has called on Fiji's interim administration to comply with its obligations under international human rights law.

In a statement, Amnesty says despite repeated assurances about their commitment to human rights since the December 5th takeover, human rights under Fiji's constitution are being violated under the State of Emergency decree.

The organisation has expressed its concern over reported threats made against critics, arbitrary detention, torture, and inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment of civil society activists as well as others men and women.

Amnesty has also criticized President Iloilo for granting unconditional immunity to officers and soldiers of the Fiji Military Forces for their part in the December takeover.

It says while the decree provides for compensation for victims of human rights violations, that is not an adequate substitute for the full investigation and prosecution of suspected perpetrators.

Amnesty is calling for the immediate repeal of the immunity decree.

It has urged the Fiji authorities to ensure that to one is prevented from or penalized for the peaceful exercise of their rights.