The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission has slammed the actions of a supermarket owner for publicly shaming and vilifying alleged shoplifters at his supermarkets.

Commission director Ashwin Raj’s come after the owner posted an image of an alleged shoplifter and a toddler with the stolen goods on social media.

It is understood that this is common practise for the supermarket owner.

Mr Raj said while the commission did not condone shoplifting, it condemned such punitive measures taken by shop owners that robbed people’s dignity and privacy as well as their right to a fair trial.

The post incriminated people who have yet to go through the criminal justice system, he said.

“It is an assault on their human dignity,” Mr Raj said.

“The owner of the supermarket could have quietly reported the matter to the Police instead of publicly shaming this mother and her child.

“This is a violation of their right to privacy and family life including the rights of the child not to be exposed on social media.”

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro said: “We would advise business operators not to publicly post such photos particularly of a child as they should be referring matters to Police for investigation.”

The post also received a lot of backlash from social media users.

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra

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