Australia criticises Fiji's human rights record
Source: Reuters
CANBERRA, March 1 (Reuters) - Australia called on Fiji's military coup leader Frank Bainimarama on Thursday to curb human rights abuses after reports that a second person has died after being beaten by soldiers. Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Australia had complained to Fiji and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva after he received reports that a 19-year-old man had died after an alleged beating by soldiers. "Incidents such as this highlight the danger of abrogating the rule of law and allowing the Fiji military, which has no expertise in policing matters, to undermine the role of the police," Downer said in a statement. News Web site www.fijilive.com reported that 19-year-old student Sakiusa Rabaka and two friends were taken by six soldiers and a policeman to an army barracks in the western city of Nadi last Saturday. He collapsed soon after he was released and died four days later after undergoing surgery for a brain haemorrhage. Acting Police Commissioner Romanu Tikotikoca said on Thursday that police were treating his death as murder. Bainimarama toppled elected Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase in a bloodless coup on Dec. 5, 2006, claiming Qarase's largely indigenous government was corrupt, racist and too soft on those responsible for the previous coup in 2000. Australia has regularly called for the military to return to barracks and to make a genuine commitment to a return to democracy as soon as possible. Bainimarama's coup, Fiji's fourth in 20 years, drew international condemnation, with Australia, New Zealand, Britain and the United States imposing economic, diplomatic and defence sanctions. Pacific Islands foreign ministers are due to meet in Vanuatu on March 16 to discuss Fiji and a report from a Pacific Eminent Persons Group which urged a speedy return to democratic rule in Fiji. Bainimarama has said new elections will be held in Fiji in 2010. ((Reporting by James Grubel, editing by Jeremy Laurence, james.grubel@reuters.com; Reuters Messaging: james.grubel.reuters.com@reuters.net, +612 6273 2730))
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