A petition has been launched to demand the Constitutional Offices Commission to launch an immediate investigation into the actions of the Fiji Corrections Service where the institution is allowing inmates to participate in sports.
This comes as convicted rapists and serving prisoners Amenoni Nasilasila and Nacanieli Labalaba were seen training and playing rugby matches.
The petition titled “Fijians Demand Justice and Accountability for Cleaner Rugby” demands the Fiji Correction Service engage in rehabilitation of sex offenders and the offenders should not participate in or access the privilege of public engagement which includes but it is not limited to any form of public sports.
It also demands the Correction Service work with leading women’s groups and development partners to ensure that the re-education programme for inmates convicted of sexual offences and violence against women are comprehensive and address specific attitude and behaviour.
Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre Coordinator Shamima Ali says they believe 1 in 3 women get raped in Fiji and more than 95% of the cases are not being reported at all.
She says it is unacceptable that rapists are given preferential treatment and they are allowed to enjoy themselves and play rugby not with just the prisoners but outside prison as well.
Ali says they do not believe that rapists are rehabilitated after serving less than a year in prison as the Fiji Corrections Services had earlier said that professional psychologists and counsellors had assessed Nasilasila and had ensured that he had completed the necessary rehabilitation treatment programs to be eligible for activities such as rugby.
She adds survivors should be encouraged to come out to report when they are raped or assaulted as there is a culture of silence as the perpetrator is usually known to the victim.
Fiji Women Rights Movement Executive Director, Nalini Singh says it is disappointing and disturbing to see the stance of the Fiji Corrections Service in allowing inmates to play sports after serving less than a year.
She says it has taken women’s activists a really long time to get the recognition of the seriousness of the crime against women and girls.
Meanwhile, male advocate Tura Lewai says he has seen people on social media defend Nasilasila and these people must ask themselves why they are doing so.
He is also calling on the Fiji Rugby Union and the Fiji Corrections Service and all other Fijian rugby unions not to be quiet and let their voices against rape and sexual violence against women, girls and women be heard.
