14 Feb 2024

Fiji lawyer willing to offer 'hard evidence' to support abuse allegations

From , 6:02 am on 14 February 2024
Fiji Labour Party parliamentary leader Aman Ravindra-Singh.

Fiji Labour Party parliamentary leader Aman Ravindra-Singh. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Koroi Hawkins

A Fiji human rights lawyer in exile is offering to provide the Fiji military and government with hard evidence to support allegations of human rights abuses against a high-ranking officer.

Colonel Penioni Naliva first made headlines in the newspaper The Australian last month after being appointed deputy commander of the Australian Army's 7th Brigade.

The paper reported allegations that Naliva had been involved in the violent beatings of two Fijian politicians in 2006.

In response to questions from RNZ Pacific the Fiji Military said it stood by colonel Naliva and waved away any allegations as social media posts by disgruntled individuals pointing out that no formal reports had been lodged with police.

Lawyer Aman Ravindra Singh told RNZ Pacific Editor, Koroi Hawkins that he is concerned that the Fiji military and government have been quick to dismiss such serious allegations against a high-ranking officer.