Fiji Law Society says proposed police powers in draft Police Bill are inconsistent with values of respect for human rights
Public consultation process must start with information, written in a simple & accessible way - Clarke

Fiji Law Society says proposed police powers in draft Police Bill are inconsistent with values of respect for human rights

Public consultation process must start with information, written in a simple & accessible way - Clarke

By Semi Turaga
14/03/2021
Fiji Law Society President Wylie Clarke. [image: File]

The Fiji Law Society says the wide scope of the proposed police powers in the Draft Police Bill are inconsistent with values of respect for human rights, freedom and the rule of law.

Fiji Law Society President Wylie Clarke says it is understandable that Police powers need to be modernised to meet today’s circumstances, particularly having regard to technology that did not exist in 1965 when the current Police Act was enacted.

Clarke says however, the increased Police powers go well beyond this and potentially affect fundamental human rights set out in the Constitution and international conventions which Fiji has signed.

He says the proposed bill may also conflict with provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act and common law rights to personal and real property and privacy.

Clarke adds the Fiji Law Society has also previously expressed its concern about the increasingly frequent allegations of police brutality and take note of other allegations regarding the unreasonable detention of persons for up to forty-eight hours.

He says against this backdrop, the immunity afforded to police officers under the draft bill’s proposed terms must therefore also be carefully scrutinised.

Clarke says the Fiji Law Society commends the Ministry of Defence and National Security and Policing for commencing a public consultation process.

He adds however, this consultation process must not stop here.

The Fiji Law Society President says they do not understand why face to face consultations are currently restricted to the maritime islands and rural areas and that people living in urban areas are to provide their submissions online.

Clarke says they do not believe this is enough.

He stresses that a proper consultation process should enable all citizens to have an opportunity to make their submissions in person.

Clarke adds a proper public consultation process must also start with information, written in a simple and accessible way, that enables all members of the public, not just lawyers, to understand what is set out in the draft bill.

He stresses the Draft Police Bill will impact everyone in Fiji so it is critical that the public understands exactly what the draft bill proposes.

Clarke further says public consultation must also continue when the proposed bill is introduced in Parliament.

He says the Fiji Law Society hopes that the Draft Police Bill will be referred to a Parliamentary Standing Committee for review and to receive submissions from the public.

Clarke also says this process will help ensure that Parliament clearly understands the impact, and the public’s views, of the draft bill.

He says the Society will be making submissions and will comment further on the Draft Police Bill in coming weeks.

We have reached out to the Minister for Defence, National Security and Policing Inia Seruiratu for a response to the statement by the Fiji Law Society.

He is yet to respond.

Eleven locations have been identified for the first round of face to face public consultations on the Draft Police Bill.

It will start today at the Lomaiviti Provincial Council Hall in Levuka from 12pm to 4pm.

The first round of face to face public consultations will run from today till the 31st of this month. Online submissions will close on 3rd April.

You can make online submissions on www.defence.gov.fj

FEATURE NEWS
Crime rate decreases by 20% in April but drug crimes rise by 75%
April saw a decrease in the overall crime rate by 20 percent compared to the same period last year, however, the number of illicit drugs cases registe...
39 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Ro Teimumu Kepa to open GCC Complex
The newly developed Great Council of Chiefs complex will be opened by the Marama Bale na Roko Tui Dreketi Ro Teimumu Kepa this afternoon. The ...
13 minutes ago

13 police officers questioned over Richard Mock’s death still in the Force – COMPOL
The 13 police officers who were questioned in relation to the death of 35 year old Richard Mock are still within the Fiji Police Force and have not ...
2 hours ago

Fiji aims to grow the coffee industry - Kamikamica
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Manoa Kamikamica says Fiji is ready to seize the opportunity presented by the rising global demand for ...
3 hours ago

Counter Narcotics Bureau officer charged in 4kg meth case, COMPOL orders interdiction without pay
One of the 4 charged in the 4kg methamphetamine case in Nadi last week is a member of the Counter Narcotics Bureau, and Police Commissioner Rusiate ...
3 hours ago

Lautoka mother calls for corporal punishment, review team says this would be tricky
A mother of 4 is calling on the Ministry for Education to encourage more spiritual counselling in schools because she believes that we are not ...
3 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH

Tragedy at PRB Flats: Couple found dead in suspected murder-suicide in April
A couple were found dead at the new Lagilagi Public Rental Board Flats today and it is alleged at this stage that it was a murder suicide case on ...
15 days ago

Tevita Ikanivere on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
The show focuses on Ikanivere’s journey, his family, career and how far the Drua has ...
28 days ago

TOP