Fiji: Death of man in military custody must be promptly investigated
Responding to the Fijian authorities’ announcement that a man, Jone Vakarisi, died in military custody on 17 April, Amnesty International’s Pacific Researcher Kate Schuetze said:
“The information provided by authorities on this death in custody raises more questions than answers. Initial responses from the military suggested that Jone Vakarisi died from a pre-existing medical condition, yet copies of the police autopsy report circulating online suggest that this was a case of serious assault.
“Any death in custody must be met with an independent, impartial, effective and prompt investigation, with results being made public. Statements of regret by the Commander of Fiji’s military are meaningless unless followed by comprehensive and transparent explanations and – where there is sufficient admissible evidence – appropriate criminal charges against those responsible.
“This death also raises questions about the culture of impunity within Fiji’s military forces and the role of the military in policing matters, including its ability to meet the needs of detainees in line with international human rights law and standards.
“Meanwhile, the military’s cautioning against people discussing the incident raises serious freedom of expression concerns. Questions and reporting about this case cannot be supressed for reasons of ‘national security’.”
Background
On Saturday 18 April 2026, Fiji authorities confirmed that Jone Vakarisi died in custody at the Queen Elizabeth Barracks on 17 April. He was taken into custody on 16 April with three other people, two of whom have since been released.
It is unclear what Vakarisi and others detained with him were being investigated for, as no criminal charges have been confirmed. Republic of the Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) statements have suggested that the detentions were related to drug crimes and an organized criminal network they described as being a threat to national security.
In a statement on 18 April, the RFMF said Jone Vakarisi “voluntarily presented” himself at their barracks then died of a “medical emergency” relating to a pre-existing condition. The RFMF described the death as a ‘national security’ incident and cautioned people against discussing it. However, on 20 April the military admitted its initial communication was not factually correct, acknowledging the findings of the autopsy.
Under international standards, any death in custody creates an assumption of the state’s responsibility and a violation of the right to life by state authorities. This assumption can only be overcome on the basis of a proper investigation that demonstrably establishes that the state complied with all its human rights obligations.
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