25 Feb 2015

Fiji's CCF says Fiji making headway against torture

7:04 am on 25 February 2015

Fiji's Citizens' Constitutional Forum has welcomed moves by the government to eradicate acts of torture in the country.

The Executive Director of the Citizens Constitutional Forum Akuila Yabaki.

The Executive Director of the Citizens Constitutional Forum Akuila Yabaki. Photo: RNZ

The group has been making submissions to a parliamentary committee reviewing whether Fiji should ratify the UN Convention Against Torture, obligating the government to prevent torture and redress victims.

The group's CEO the Reverend Akuila Yabaki told the committee the pilot scheme to videotape police interviews and progress made on the Vilikesa Soko case of death in police custody show Fiji is making headway.

"These reforms indicate that the state is working towards no longer tolerating acts of torture and degrading treatment. Given these reforms which I've referred to, ratification is the next logical step."

The Reverend Yabaki says the moves go down well with the ambition to be part of the 47 members UN Human Rights Council.