Apr 07, 2021 12:08:19 PM Filipino seafarers who are currently stranded in Fiji and are claiming to be victims of human trafficking are expected to leave the country soon. The seafarers were flown into Fiji to work for Goundar Shipping. Some of them will be returning home after almost two years, effectively trapped working for the company due to low wages and refusal to honour repatriation costs. Adrianne Ali, the lawyer for the seafarers in an exclusive interview with
FijiLive said nine of the twenty Filipinos were given tickets to fly back home via Australia last month while the remaining are expected to leave by mid April.
Wanshika Kumar
Mick Beddoes. Picture: FILE.
Former opposition leader Mick Beddoes quizzed Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission director Ashwin Raj over the powers he has to autonomously investigate cases.
He made the comment in a Facebook post in response to Mr Raj’s comments in an article which was published in
The Fiji Times on Saturday.
In the article, Mr Raj said Lautoka businessman Ben Padarath had the right to lodge a complaint with the FHRADC or alternatively raise his concerns in a court of law.
“But what about your powers under Section 30 which gives you the authority to investigate under your ‘own motion’,” Mr Beddoes said.
The Fiji Times » Padarath has access to a legal counsel fijitimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from fijitimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Fiji s Opposition has condemned the manner in which people are repeatedly arrested and detained in the country.
The concerns were raised in parliament following the arrest of a political activist last week over a post on social media the government claimed intended to bring about hatred or excite disaffection in the country.
Ben Padarath.
Photo: Facebook
Ben Padarath was detained by the Independent Commission Against Corruption and appeared in court charged with sedition.
He was also charged for attempting to defeat the course of justice, destroying evidence and disobedience of lawful orders.
Padarath was alleged to have acted with seditious intention or uttered seditious words by posting information relating to an ongoing investigation on Facebook by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
The Fiji Times’ edition for April 7.
The big one on Page 1 is about the Nabua brawl.
PAGE 1
Residents involved face eviction
BEHAVE or you are out. This was the stern warning from Public Rental Board acting general manager Patrick Veu in the wake of violent brawls between residents of Mead Road Housing and Sukanaivalu Rd, Nabua, over the Easter weekend. He said PRB residents involved in the fracas would be evicted for breaching tenancy agreement.
Image: THE FIJI TIMES
Meanwhile, renowned local psychologist Selina Kuruleca said intense counselling was needed for all children who were terrorised after witnessing the brutality and violence that ensued on Friday night and Saturday.