The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Com­mission director Ashwin Raj has welcomed the immediate decision by the Commissioner of Police to investigate the death of a 26-year-old man.

The victim, Josua Lalauvaki, was allegedly assaulted while Police were attending to a report outside a nightclub in Suva on September 2.

There are also allegations from family members that he was as­saulted at Totogo Police Station.

Due to the severity of injuries sus­tained, he was taken to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital and was admitted until he passed away last Thursday.

“We must not condone any form of torture, brutality and cruel and degrading treatment,” Mr Raj said.

“I welcome the immediate decision by the Commission­er of Police to investigate this matter.

“And while I await the outcome of their investi­gations with interest, the national human rights com­mission will conduct its own independent investigation into this matter.

“This tragedy also underscores the signifi­cance of video re­cording of cau­tion in­terviews in order to uphold the rights of ar­rested and de­tained persons,” Mr Raj added.

Police Com­missioner Brigadier-Gen­eral Sitiveni Qiliho said on Friday that he had direct­ed the Criminal Investigations De­partment (CID) to expedite the in­vestigation into the death of Josua Lalauvaki.

“Following the initial report of an alleged assault in September, a di­rective was issued for a team from the Internal Affairs Unit to inves­tigate the allegations,” Brigadier-General Qiliho said

“I have now directed the case be taken over by the Director CID and his team.

“I give my personal assurance that a thorough investiga­tion will be conducted re­garding the circumstances surrounding his death,” he added.

Edited by Percy Kean

Feedback: ashna.kumar@fijisun.com.fj