The New Zealand parliament has passed a motion condemning the beating and torture of the two detainees in Fiji which is currently under investigation by the police.
The beating was revealed in the video that has been published on a number of internet sites.
The motion in the NZ parliament yesterday was introduced by the opposition Labor party’s foreign affairs spokesman Phil Goff and was passed unopposed.
The New Zealand parliament is now calling on the Fijian government to hold to account those responsible in the beating and to uphold international conventions which protect civil and political rights and oppose torture.
Goff told Pacific Beat that this showed New Zealand’s stance.
According to an earlier government statement, the formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the video recording of Fijian security personnel and recaptured prison escapees is continuing.
The government said there will be no further statement until the investigation is complete and its findings are released by Government.
International calls for an independent investigation by external organizations are also rejected.
The government said it is normal practice for any Government around the world to conduct its own investigations into such matters.
It said the same conventions apply in Fiji as in any other country dealing with allegations against the police, such as those currently taking place in Australia and South Africa.
Story by: Vijay Narayan
Feature
NZ parliament passes motion on Fiji beating
