Ashwin Raj says social media posts calling for the rape of people should be reported to Police

The Fiji Human Rights and Anti Discrimination Commission Director Ashwin Raj says social media posts calling for the rape or racial and sexual vilification of anyone for speaking out must be reported to the Fiji Police Force.

He made this comment in relation to calls made for people who spoke out against the decision to allow former Fiji 7s player Amenoni Nasilasila train with the Namosi Rugby Team while serving an 8 year sentence for raping a woman.

A woman who shared her story as a rape survivor was attacked on Facebook by a man who called for her to be raped again.

Another man who has been publicly voicing his concerns from the start has also been subjected to racist name-calling and remarks on social media. He has also been sworn at and body shamed.

Raj says it is not only an assault on human dignity, it is contrary to the constitutional right to be free from hate speech.

He says he hopes the cybercrime unit takes these complaints seriously and investigates these posts.

Raj says clearly prisoners must be afforded the right to rehabilitation and dignified reintegration into society and at the same time victims must be able to heal without stigmatization.

Raj adds that the Human Rights and Anti Discrimination Commission will continue to work with the Fiji Corrections Service in ensuring penal reform that is consistent with human rights and human dignity and applied consistently to all prisoners regardless of their status.

He says the Commission will continue to engage with the Fiji Corrections Service in ensuring compliance with the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners also known as the ‘Mandela Rules’.

The Mandela Rules provide guidance on the rehabilitation and just and humane treatment of prisoners.

He says this calls for a larger conversation between the justice system, civil society and the wider community.