Fiji-based human rights activist Imrana Jalal
A Fiji-based human rights activist says she is been singled out for prosecution because of her outspoken opposition to Fiji's administration
The Fji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), has charged lawyer Imrana Jalal for operating a restaurant without a business license
Although the matter is considered a civil misdemeanour and carries a $20 fine, FICAC has now applied to have the case transferred to the High Court.
Ms Jalal told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat programme that she was a silent director in her husband's restaurant business.
She says her husband sought a license from the Suva City Council then began running the business while waiting for the application to be processed, a practise which she says is both common in Suva and allowed by the council.
But Ms Jalal said she now faces prosecution for the period the restaurant operated while the license was being processed.
“It's really a civil misdemeanour. More than 50 per cent of business in Fiji operate on that basis,” she said.
“We're being singled out for prosecution. There's a number of new and very large businesses which are operating without a license but of course we've been singled out by FICAC.”
Ms Jalal says she is being targeted because of her political beliefs.
“I've called the Fiji Government to account many times for the continuing human rights violations,” she said.
“There's no freedom of speech. I belong to a number of human rights organisations for whom I associate with on a voluntary basis, we have been very critical of the government publicly about the position they've taken on human rights, the rule of law, democracy and so I think this part of a campaign to shut us all up.”
But FICAC spokeswoman Erica Lee told Radio Australia that Ms Jalal is not being singled out.
“This accusation is not true. FICAC has far-reaching powers, we also have provisions under our promulgation where the deputy commissioner has discretion to where he can take up cases and also transfer these to the (Department of Public Prosecution) or the police for further investigation,” she said.
Ms Jalal says she refuses to settle the matter by pleading guilty and paying the $20 fine.
“I won't allow (interim Prime Minister Frank) Bainimarama to convict me for something I did not commit. I'm a human rights lawyer. Where's my worth if I buckle at the first you know persecution of me - public persecution of me, if you like. No I won't plead guilty,” she said.
“I refuse to do that.”
SOURCE: RADIO AUSTRALIA/PACNEWS
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