SUVA (Pacnews) — Fiji’s military is still hauling people for interrogation despite assurance made by the Fiji’s interim administration to the European Union that human rights abuse will be stopped.
A Suva businessman said he will file a complaint of human rights abuses with the Fiji Human Rights Commission and the police.
Ulaiasi Taoi, who is also president of the Fiji Indigenous Business Council, is collating details of the abuses that he said happened while he was in custody at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks at the weekend.
Taoi said he was locked in a cell and ordered to strip to his underwear. He said he was questioned several times by several soldiers about blog sites which the army considers anti-interim government and anti-military.
Taoi alleged he was also beaten by soldiers. The military confirmed Taoi was taken into custody but refused to comment on the alleged assaults.
The incident was the first reported after interim Prime Minister and military chief Frank Bainimarama said in March that the Fiji Military Forces does not condone violence or use of force.
Following a meeting with senior officers on March 6, Bainimarama said the soldiers will only be involved in manning checkpoints, community work, and public relations.