Amnesty International is calling on authorities in Fiji to urgently adopt measures to end the harassment of journalists and human rights defenders following the arrest of three New Zealand journalists on Wednesday night although the Prime Minister and Police Commissioner made it clear that the arrest was done by rogue officers.
In a statement Amnesty international has called on Fiji to adopt measures set out in the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders to ensure the safety of journalists who act to promote and protect the rights of others, including the safety of other human rights defenders.
It says these measures should include issuing a public statement recognizing the status and role of human rights defenders and the legitimacy of their activities and adopting policies to protect the rights of human rights defenders.
Amnesty International’s Pacific Researcher Roshika Deo says they are calling on the Fijian authorities to amend their laws on freedom of expression and commit to protecting human rights in law and in practice.
In parliament yesterday Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama confirmed that a full investigation will be conducted into the case of the rogue Police officers who had taken the three New Zealand journalists in for questioning.
Bainimarama made it clear that the news media has been an ally in accountability, helping to expose Freesoul Real Estate Development’s illegal environmental destruction in Malolo.
Bainimarama says he was informed that the three journalists from New Zealand had been detained by the Police for questioning.
Upon learning of this situation, Bainimarama says the Fijian Government immediately demanded their release.
Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho also says he is concerned about some rogue officers in the force and he should have been informed that foreigners were taken in for questioning.
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