Prisoners released on bail
Friday October 06, 2006

Nine prisoners were released on bail today by three High Court judges under strict conditions after complaining of inhumane treatment they received at the Korovou Prison in Suva.

A report submitted to the High Court in Suva by the Fiji Human Rights Commission on the matter, found that the prisoners lived under inhumane and degrading conditions.

The report, a third of its kind, was condemned by Justice Nazhat Shammem, Judge Gerard Winter and Judge Anthony Gates saying that the Government has not taken heed of the deplorable conditions in prisons around Fiji.

The judgment, which was read out by Judge Gates, stated that the defects in the condition of and in the administration of the remand centre included such things as seepage of raw sewage, poor ventilation, unhealthy dampness, unnecessarily poor personal hygiene and laundry standards, unhygienic eating arrangements, unnecessarily lengthy confinement to crowded cells, leaking cells, foul stenches, inadequate lighting for reading purposes or case preparation, non-provision of fire extinguishers, unwashed blankets, broken toilets, and showers exposed to the public.

Judge Winters also stated that the Government had not complied with the Universal declaration on Human Rights as set out in the United Nations covenant.

"In my view, there is no iron curtain drawn between the constitution and the prisoners of this country," Judge Winter said.

"When the remedial powers of the court are invoked, and they will be, to protect the constitutional rights of inmates, the courts may not take a hands-off approach."

Commissioner of Prisons Aisea Taoka said he won't comment on the matter until he sees the judgments.