The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission is investigating a complaint filed by the mothers of serving prisoners, Peniasi Qalibau and Mesulame Waqabaca who escaped from the Naboro Maximum Security Complex last December.
Director Ashwin Raj confirms receiving the official complaint from the two mothers who have alleged that their sons were assaulted by officers of the Fiji Corrections Service.
Raj says the mothers have also raised concerns that they have been denied visitation rights.
Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission Director Ashwin Raj
He confirms that he has met with both the mothers and heard their concerns and the complaint is currently under investigation.
Qalibau and Waqabaca who appeared in court yesterday with five other serving prisoners, struggled to walk in their crutches and heavily bandaged legs.
Solomoni Qurai also had a heavily bandaged arm.
Qalibau’s mother, Litiana Rokowati also wants to see her son so they can talk about what allegedly happened to him.
The seven men Filipe Delana, Ulaiasi Qalomai, Mesulame Waqabaca, Josaia Usumaki, Bainivalu Tuimatavesi, Solomone Qurai and Peniasi Qalibau also allegedly damaged Fiji Corrections Service property on 24th December last year.
The injured prisoners escorted out of the Suva Magistrates Court today
It included PVC pipes, mosquito nets, a blanket and a mattress cover. These items were allegedly used during the escape.
They are charged with one count of damaging property and one count of escaping from lawful custody.
The process to recapture the seven escapees was a joint operation between the Fiji Police Force and Fiji Corrections Service.
Police are yet to confirm if they have received a report from the mothers of the two serving prisoners.
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