Fiji has signed a key international anti-torture treaty, a move which has been welcomed by the European Union.
Video footage of a man allegedly being beaten by Fiji security personnel. Photo: RNZ
Fiji signed the UN Convention Against Torture on 1st March, according to the website of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Human rights defenders and members of the opposition have been calling for the Fiji government to sign and ratify the treaty since it pledged it would do so a year ago.
Fiji has yet to formally ratify, a move which would bring the convention into force in the country.
A parliamentary committee last year agreed it should be ratified with some reservations.
The European Union Delegation for the Pacific said the signing was an important step for Fiji and it looked forward to Fiji's ratification of the treaty.
The EU said it encouraged Fiji to accept the full set of procedures provided for under the UNCAT.