FIJIANS have endured too much, says Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) leader Viliame Gavoka.
He made the comment in relation to the proposed Police Bill that was recently launched by the Ministry of Defence and National Security to replace the existing 1965 Police Act.
“It is draconian and should raise an alarm to all right-thinking citizens as it encroaches into civil liberties, democratic values, and fundamental rights of our people,” he said.
“Fijians have endured too much, being thrown off bridges, stripped naked and tortured, stripped off our rights as Fijians.
“We should not allow legal drafters to think that Fijians are content with authoritarian rule.”
He said SODELPA were of the view that the ramifications of the draft Bill, should it become law are deep-cutting and it should not even be allowed to reach the floor of Parliament, let alone via Standing Order 51.
He also said SODELPA would be launching a petition in Parliament to direct the Minister of Defence to cease and shelve the draft Bill.
“Government should instead focus on restoring the trust and confidence of our people on police and disciplined forces.
“You cannot endorse a draft Bill that infringes people’s civil liberties and human rights and the basic tenet of democracy particularly for a country with a history of political instability, abuse of power, violation of human rights and lack of check and balances.”
He urged Fijians to become active in a collective effort to stop the Bill.
