Opposition and SODELPA Leader Sitiveni Rabuka says he is disappointed that a Member of Parliament, NFP's Pio Tikoduadua who has been expressing his concern about allegations on the use of excessive force by law enforcement agencies on those who have been apprehended for breach of COVID-19 restrictions, was arrested and detained.
Rabuka says Tikoduadua was performing his duty as an elected Member of Parliament expressing concern about a member of the public from Tailevu North.
Rabuka says while we face an existential threat like the COVID-19 pandemic, and while it is important that we all work together to practice the precautionary measures put in place by the Minister and Permanent Secretary for Health under the Public Health Act, we should not condone excessive use of force by police and draconian measures more suited for hardcore criminals and totalitarian regime-like actions like detaining opposition politicians for expressing concerns on heavy-handed behaviour of Police.
He further says the law allows reasonable use of force to apprehend a suspect.
Rabuka adds that once a suspect is in police custody, it is then up to the Courts, not the Police, to determine guilt and if so, decide on the punishment according to law.
The Opposition Leader also says the law does not authorise police to take out their frustrations on suspects adding excessive use of force cannot be justified on the basis that Fiji faces a public health emergency.
Rabuka says all such reports must be investigated by the Fiji Police.
He adds, unfortunately, the Office of the Ombudsman whose remit included investigation of such allegations, has been removed.
Rabuka says he would also like to encourage government and those in authority to step up the public health messaging on COVID-19 precautionary measures so that everyone is informed, and feels like they have a stake in sacrificing time with their friends and family, so they willingly make the sacrifices required to halt the spread of this deadly virus.
He further says he has issued this advice for public awareness in all vernacular languages since January.
The Opposition Leader says as a people we are very social in our habits and way of life and we all must be fully informed on the reasons why we need to protect each other by practicing physical distancing, limiting social gatherings and respecting the curfew from 8pm to 5am daily.
He adds the people will only understand if Government prioritises sending representatives to each village and community to explain this public health message, and broadcast these critical health messages on radio and television.
Meanwhile, Tikoduadua has been released from Police custody and the investigation file has been sent to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
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