Update: 3.24pm THE Fiji Human Rights Commission has expressed disappointment with the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) report on the independence of the Commission following the events of 5 December, 2006.
Commission Director Dr Shaista Shameem said the observations made by the EPG were not put first to the Acting chairperson Rodney Acraman or Deputy Director Kitione Radrodro when they appeared before the Group.
Dr Shaista said the EPG's processes with respect to the Commission were not exercised in good faith.
"The EPG were not open and transparent about one of its members' conflict of interest as a board member of the Public Centre for the People's Integrity (PCPI), which has been attempting to interfere with the Commission's independence and autonomy since 5 December," Dr Shaista said.
"The board membership of Sir Arnold Amet on PCPI was made known to the Commission only recently."
Dr Shaista said Sir Arnold did not reveal his vested interest in the perspective taken by PCPI with regard to 5 December.
Sir Arnold was also a former board member of RRRT, an organisation criticised by the Fiji Human Rights Commission in its investigation report of 4 January.
Another member of the Group, General Peter Cosgrove also came to the attention of the Commission.
"General Cosgrove was in charge of the Australian Defence Forces when Afghani refugees on the Tampa vessel were trying to seek asylum in Australia in 2001," Dr Shaista said.
She said even though the Tampa was in Australian territorial waters, the Australian naval authorities refused to provide humantarian assistance to the sick and dying refugees on board the vessel.
"Any representative who was involved directnly in such a serious violation of human rights does not deserve to be taken seriously with respect to comments about the Fiji Human Rights Commission," Dr Shaista said.
The Commission considers the EPG's report to be entirely discredited and seriously compromised.
