By Luke Rawalai, The Fiji Times, 20 March, 2021, 5:30 pm
Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission director Ahswin Raj should be sacked.
This is the view of Social Democratic Liberal Party deputy leader, lawyer Filimoni Vosarogo.
Mr Vosarogo said it was a shame Mr Raj decided it was premature to comment on the draft Police Bill 2020 even when it was made available for reading and commentary.
“SODELPA commends citizens for their opposition to the Police Bill 2020 – Ashwin Raj of Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission should be sacked,” said Mr Vosarogo.
“You work for the people of Fiji and their rights and freedoms is your domain to jealously guard and protect,” said Mr Vosarogo.
“What was there to stop him from stating preliminary views on the Police Bill 2020?
“Can’t he read on the face of the Bill that powers given to police were likely to infringe on rights and freedoms protected by the Constitution.
“A human rights body must be vigilant from the start of any piece of legislation or policy position that seeks to erode civil liberties while there is no need to wait for formalities and have your hour with the Standing Committee in Parliament.”
Mr Vosarogo said Mr Raj should remember he was accountable to the Fijian people. In response, Mr Raj said Mr Vosarogo’s statement was “farcical”.
Mr Raj said he had issued a statement on March 8 which clearly stated that the commission would make a submission on the proposed Bill once it was tabled in Parliament.
“It was categorically stated that the Commission in its substantive submission will call for alignment of the Bill with the state’s human rights obligation under the domestic procedures and international conventions and treaties that Fiji has ratified,” he said.
“The commission had written to Parliament, seeking a date and time when it could make its submission, but was advised that the Police Bill is yet to be tabled in the House.”
Following a deluge of public outcry and criticism against the draft Bill, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said the Bill would not reach Parliament in its current form.
