Police are currently looking into the circumstances surrounding the death of a 81 year old woman from Ba after allegations that she was beaten up with a stick by a relative at her home, while the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission is looking into a family complaint that the woman passed away before she could receive urgent medical treatment. When questioned by fijivillage News, Police say the woman from Vunisamaloa, Ba collapsed whilst being caution interviewed for the allegation of assault, criminal intimidation and breach of the Domestic Violence Restraining Order.
She was then taken to Ba Aspen Hospital and was pronounced dead.
Police say the post mortem revealed that she died of heart disease and diabetes.
The file of her report against a relative will be sent to the Divisional Crime Officer West for his decision.
Meanwhile the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission is calling on the Police to independently investigate the woman’s death.
The Commission expresses concern that the woman was not provided with medical treatment while in Police custody.
Commission Chair, Pravesh Sharma says the woman had collapsed during her caution interview and despite family members requesting to rush her to the hospital, Police instead allegedly declined the request of the family members, insisting that they were waiting for their official vehicle.
Section 8 of the Constitution of the Republic of Fiji stipulates that every person has the right to life, and a person must not be arbitrarily deprived of life.
The Commission acknowledges that Police are empowered to receive complaints, investigate, interview, arrest and charge persons; however, in carrying out such functions, the Police have to ensure that the rights of accused persons are respected and complied with.
Sharma says a caution interview should be conducted on a day and time mutually suitable to the Police, the accused person, and his or her lawyer.
He says the Police need to be mindful that caution interviews are stressful for the persons being interviewed; and moreso for elderly persons; and persons with pre-existing medical conditions such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
Sharma says the same applies to persons who have been charged and are detained in Police stations while awaiting their first court appearance.
He adds that before commencing a caution interview, the interviewing officer should ask the person being interviewed, whether he or she is medically fit to continue with the interview.
Sharma says if the person advises that he or she is not fit, then the person should be taken to hospital and the interview deferred.
The Commission Chair says at a caution interview, a lawyer should be allowed to object to questions which could incriminate his or her client.
He says during a caution interview, if the person being interviewed only agrees to provide his or her name and address, and thereafter exercises his or her right to remain silent, the Police should respect that right and terminate the interview and not continue to put questions to the person.
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