NUKU’ALOFA (Pacnews) — A large number of Tongans arrested after last year’s riots in the capital Nuku’alofa were beaten up by security forces, according to a report.
A community task force on human rights in Tonga has compiled what it called a comprehensive 77-page report which documented the treatment of people arrested and detained since the riots on Nov. 16.
Eighty-four detainees and inmates were interviewed, with 41 percent saying they had suffered violence during their arrest.
“All of these persons suffered head and facial injuries ranging from bruising and swelling to broken teeth, bones and eye damage. The predominant perpetrators of violence during arrest were members of the Tonga defense service,” the report said.
Almost a third claimed they were interviewed by security forces with violence or threats of violence and intimidation intended to elicit information or confessions before reaching the central police station. Half said the same happened at the station
All detainees and prisoners reported sordid conditions in the cells, which were overcrowded to more than six times their capacity.
The conditions were hot and humid during the day and cold at night, and because there was no bedding some detainees contracted pneumonia.
Close to 20 percent of the detainees and prisoners claimed that they were handcuffed while inside a prison cell for varying periods of time, ranging from two hours to 10 days, often resulting in agonizing wrist and arm injuries.
All those held reported problems with denial of access to families, lawyers and in many cases medical attention.
The report said 21 percent of the detainees held at the central police station and interviewed for the report were children.