Fiji’s anti-torture move ‘hollow’

FIJI – A human rights lawyer says Fiji’s ratification of an international anti-torture treaty is a hollow and meaningless gesture.

The country last week ratified the United Nations Convention Against Torture, but did so with several reservations.

These include the definition of torture used by the UN, and querying the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice.

Aman Ravindra-Singh – who last year raised allegations about colleagues being beaten by security forces – said the reservations watered down the convention and made it meaningless.

“That’s alarming. In fact, that’s shocking. If you’re not agreeing to the definition of torture in the first place, then why sign the United Nations Convention Against Torture?

“If you are questioning the definition of the very convention that you have signed you have declared absolutely that the convention is not worth the paper that it is written on.”

Ravindra-Singh said he doubted the ratification would have any effect on the number of alleged abuse cases.

He said there appears to be little appetite to put an end to such practices, and he doubts the ratification of the treaty will do anything to stop torture in Fiji.

“On the ground there has been no real action taken to eliminate the use of torture.

“There have been no signs that torture has lessened in the last few months since Fiji has been harping on about wanting to sign the convention against torture. The reality on the ground remains the same.”

- RNZI