Pacific / Fiji

State sponsored torture in Fiji still the norm says Fiji lawyer

10:37 am on 1 November 2016

A human rights lawyer in Fiji, Aman Ravindra-Singh, says state sponsored torture is still happening in the country despite Fiji signing an anti-torture treaty earlier this year.

He said Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama made progress recently by admitting torture happened in the country but Mr Ravindra-Singh said he was wrong to say the cases were isolated.

"I just would like people brought to justice because this seems to keep happening to everybody. People are dying..." - Ricardo Fisher

Ricardo Fisher spent two days in hospital in Suva, alleging he was beaten by police on Monday 24 October,2016 Photo: Supplied

Mr Ravindra-Singh said only last week another man, Ricardo Fisher, was beaten while in custody at the main police station in Suva.

He also said there had been no progress on other prominent cases like the alleged torture by a military officer of unionist Felix Anthony in 2011 and the alleged police beating of businessman Rajneel Singh a year ago.

Mr Ravindra-Singh said the police continue to say investigations are continuing when there is plenty of evidence at hand.

"That is the norm. That's how police are able to tone down the public outcry and emotions. All they will say is that investigations are continuing but whether something comes out of it, that is another story. In this instance once again, it's just simply investigations are continuing."