ALLEGATIONS of brutality during drug raids, including incidents involving deaths, have prompted the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission to closely monitor joint operations.
Consequently, the commission is tracking the involvement of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces alongside the Fiji Police Force.
Commissioner Chantelle Khan said they were monitoring operations due to recent alleged brutality complaints and increased military involvement in drug operations.
“That is a very sensitive issue. Many members of the public support military involvement because they believe it improves public safety,” she said.
Ms Khan said the issue was sensitive, particularly as many members of the public supported military involvement because they believed it would improve public safety.
“Our role is to ensure human rights are protected during operations involving civilians. We are monitoring their role.”
She said they had arranged meetings with the military and police to better understand the framework guiding joint operations, including the roles and responsibilities of officers involved.
“We want to better understand the terms of reference governing joint military-police operations, where responsibilities begin and end.
“Also, whether officers involved fully understand their human rights obligations when carrying out operations involving civilians.”
She said Fiji was not under a state of emergency, due to this, human rights complaints would be handled through standard commission filings or official investigations.
