Amnesty International Report 2014/15 - Fiji
| Publisher | Amnesty International |
| Publication Date | 25 February 2015 |
| Cite as | Amnesty International, Amnesty International Report 2014/15 - Fiji, 25 February 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/54f07df26.html [accessed 25 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Republic of Fiji
Head of state: Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
Head of government: Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama
Laws, policies and practices failed to adequately protect human rights, placing sweeping restrictions on freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association. Victims of serious human rights violations, including torture and other ill-treatment, were unable to seek redress in the courts due to widespread immunities for government officials and security forces.
Background
In September Fiji held its first election since the 2006 military coup. New electoral laws expanded restrictions on freedom of expression. A climate of fear and self-censorship prevailed. Abuses by security forces continued to occur, including one death in police custody in August.
Freedoms of expression, assembly and association
Rights to freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association were criminalized, with people facing heavy fines and possible imprisonment under a number of decrees.
The Electoral Decree 2014 prohibited civil society organizations from "campaigning", including providing human rights education, on any issue relevant to elections. Breaching this Decree carried a penalty of FJ$50,000 (approx. US$27,000) and up to 10 years' imprisonment.
In August a human rights organization, Citizens' Constitutional Forum, was put under criminal investigation for breaching the Electoral Decree for organizing a series of public lectures on democracy and human rights.
In June the Media Industry Development Authority called for a criminal investigation against two university academics after they had called on police to stop the harassment and intimidation of journalists.
Workers' rights
The Essential National Industries (Employment) Decree 2011 continued to violate key workers' rights, including by limiting collective bargaining rights, curtailing the right to strike, banning overtime payments, and voiding existing collective agreements for workers in the sugar, aviation and tourism industries. Under electoral laws, trade union officials were not permitted to hold office in a political party or to engage in other political activities.
In January Daniel Urai, a trade union leader, was arrested and charged with participating in an unlawful strike, following a strike at a hotel in Nadi. The charges were dropped after two months.
Torture and other ill-treatment
Extensive immunities under the Constitution made it impossible to hold state perpetrators accountable for serious human rights violations such as torture and other ill-treatment. Members of the military and the police, as well as government officials, operated with civil and criminal immunity for violations of human rights. Many cases of torture and other ill-treatment, including several relating to recaptured prisoners, remained unaddressed.
In August Vilikesa Soko, who had been arrested on suspicion of robbery, died in police custody. The autopsy report showed that he suffered serious injuries consistent with assault, leading to multiple organ failure. While the new Police Commissioner promptly ordered an investigation into the death and suspended four police officers, no criminal charges had been brought against the alleged perpetrators at the end of the year.
