14 Mar 2013

Australian Senate calls on Fiji government to condemn videoed torture

6:25 pm on 14 March 2013

The Australian Senate is calling on the Fiji government to publicly condemn the use of torture.

The Senate passed a motion, condemning the apparent torture and inhumane and degrading treatment of detainees in Fiji.

This comes after a nine-minute video was posted online last week, showing the abuse and beating of two tied-up men by what the Fiji government calls Fijian security personnel.

On Tuesday, a similar motion was passed by the New Zealand parliament.

Fiji's foreign minister, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, reacted to the unanimous vote in Wellington, describing the parliament's move as absurd.

The beating in Fiji has also been condemned by the United Nations and Amnesty International.