18 Jul 2016

Fiji agency says already looking into brutality

7:44 pm on 18 July 2016

Fiji's Human Rights and Anti Discrimination Commission says it is speaking out on brutality and torture.

The director, Ashwin Raj, is taking issue with a call from human rights activist, Shamima Ali, who commented on the public revelation last week of old photographs depicting alleged police brutality.

Ashwin Raj, chair of Fiji's media authority MIDA

Ashwin Raj Photo: RNZ / Republika

The photos are thought to have come from 2009.

Ms Ali called for the Commission to make a stand on the matter, but Mr Raj says it is already doing that.

He says he welcomed the decision by the Police Commissioner to order fresh investigations in relation to allegations of police brutality in order to ascertain the veracity of the claims.

Mr Raj says the Commission condemns all acts of violence, torture and brutality and will investigate as per its legal powers.

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