A Rakiraki villager has raised concerns about the proposed Police Bill, saying search warrants should only be issued by the courts and not by Justices of the Peace.
Speaking to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights at Navuavua Village in Ra, the villager says he became concerned after learning that the Bill would allow the Justice of the Peace to issue search warrants, as many of them live in village communities.
He says they may not have a clear understanding of the law if such measures are introduced.
The villager also recommended that the power to issue search warrants remain with the courts, saying they are better equipped to interpret and apply the law.
According to the proposed Bill, under part 5, section 48 (1), its states that a search warrant may be issued by-
(a) a Justice of the Peace, for a general search warrant under this Division,
Subdivision 2;
(b) a magistrate, for a general search warrant under this Division, Subdivision 2 or an urgent search warrant under this Division, Subdivision 3; and
(c) a Judge of the High Court of Fiji, for a covert surveillance warrant under
Division 5, Subdivision 1 and a covert or forcible entry warrant under Division 5, Subdivision 2.
