CHAPTER 2 - BILL OF RIGHTS
Right to personal liberty
SECTION 9
9.—(1) A person must not be deprived of personal liberty except—
(a) for the purpose of executing the sentence or order of a court, whether handed down or made in Fiji or elsewhere, in respect of an offence of which the person had been convicted;
(b) for the purpose of executing an order of a court punishing the person for contempt of the court or of another court or tribunal;
(c) for the purpose of executing an order of a court made to secure the fulfilment of an obligation imposed on the person by law;
(d) for the purpose of bringing the person before a court in execution of an order of a court;
(e) if the person is reasonably suspected of having committed an offence;
(f) with the consent of the person’s parent or lawful guardian or upon an order made by a court, for the purpose of the person’s education or welfare during any period ending not later than the date of his or her 18th birthday;
(h) for the purpose of the person’s care or treatment or for the protection of the community if he or she is, or is reasonably suspected to be, of unsound mind, addicted to drugs or alcohol, or a vagrant; or
(i) for the purpose of preventing the unlawful entry of the person into Fiji or of effecting the expulsion, extradition or other lawful removal of the person from Fiji.
(2) Subsection (1)(c) does not permit a court to make an order depriving a person of personal liberty on the ground of failure to pay maintenance or a debt, fine or tax, unless the court considers that the person has wilfully refused to pay despite having the means to do so.
CHAPTER 2 - BILL OF RIGHTS
Freedom from cruel and degrading treatment
SECTION 11
(1) Every person has the right to freedom from torture of any kind, whether physical, mental or emotional, and from cruel, inhumane, degrading or disproportionately severe treatment or punishment.
CHAPTER 2 - BILL OF RIGHTS
Rights of arrested and detained persons
SECTION 13
(1) Every person who is arrested or detained has the right—
(a) to be informed promptly, in a language that he or she understands, of—
(i) the reason for the arrest or detention and the nature of any charge that may be brought against that person;
(ii) the right to remain silent; and
(iii) the consequences of not remaining silent ;
(b) to remain silent;
(c) to communicate with a legal practitioner of his or her choice in private in the place where he or she is detained, to be informed of that right promptly and, if he or she does not have sufficient means to engage a legal practitioner and the interests of justice so require, to be given the services of a legal practitioner under a scheme for legal aid by the Legal Aid Commission;
(d) not to be compelled to make any confession or admission that could be used in evidence against that person;
(e) to be held separately from persons who are serving a sentence, and in the case of a child, to be kept separate from adults unless that is not in the best interests of the child;
(f) to be brought before a court as soon as reasonably possible, but in any case not later than 48 hours after the time of arrest, or if that is not reasonably possible, as soon as possible thereafter;
(g) at the first court appearance, to be charged or informed of the reasons for the detention to continue, or to be released ;
(h) to be released on reasonable terms and conditions, pending a charge or trial, unless the interests of justice otherwise require;
(i) to challenge the lawfulness of the detention in person before a court and, if the detention is unlawful, to be released ;
(j) to conditions of detention that are consistent with human dignity, including at least the opportunity to exercise regularly and the provision, at State expense, of adequate accommodation, nutrition, and medical treatment; and
(k) to communicate with, and be visited by,—
(i) his or her spouse, partner or next-of-kin; and
(ii) a religious counsellor or a social worker.
(2) Whenever this section requires information to be given to a person, that information must be given simply and clearly in a language that the person understands.
(3) A person who is deprived of liberty by being detained, held in custody or imprisoned under any law retains all the rights and freedoms set out in this Chapter, except to the extent that any particular right or freedom is incompatible with the fact of being so deprived of liberty.
Rights of accused persons
SECTION 14
(1) A person shall not be tried for—
(a) any act or omission that was not an offence under either domestic or international law at the time it was committed or omitted; or
(b) an offence in respect of an act or omission for which that person has previously been either acquitted or convicted.
(2) Every person charged with an offence has the right—
(a) to be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law;
(b) to be informed in legible writing, in a language that he or she understands, of the nature of and reasons for the charge;
(c) to be given adequate time and facilities to prepare a defence, including if he or she so requests, a right of access to witness statements;
(d) to defend himself or herself in person or to be represented at his or her own expense by a legal practitioner of his or her own choice, and to be informed promptly of this right or, if he or she does not have sufficient means to engage a legal practitioner and the interests of justice so require, to be given the services of a legal practitioner under a scheme for legal aid by the Legal Aid Commission, and to be informed promptly of this right ;
(e) to be informed in advance of the evidence on which the prosecution intends to rely, and to have reasonable access to that evidence;
(f) to a public trial before a court of law, unless the interests of justice otherwise require;
(g) to have the trial begin and conclude without unreasonable delay;
(h) to be present when being tried, unless—
(i) the court is satisfied that the person has been served with a summons or similar process requiring his or her attendance at the trial, and has chosen not to attend; or
(ii) the conduct of the person is such that the continuation of the proceedings in his or her presence is impracticable and the court has ordered him or her to be removed and the trial to proceed in his or her absence;
(i) to be tried in a language that the person understands or, if that is not practicable, to have the proceedings interpreted in such a language at State expense;
(j) to remain silent, not to testify during the proceedings, and not to be compelled to give self-incriminating evidence, and not to have adverse inference drawn from the exercise of any of these rights;
(k) not to have unlawfully obtained evidence adduced against him or her unless the interests of justice require it to be admitted;
(l) to call witnesses and present evidence, and to challenge evidence presented against him or her;
(m) to a copy of the record of proceedings within a reasonable period of time and on payment of a reasonably prescribed fee;
(n) to the benefit of the least severe of the prescribed punishments if the prescribed punishment for the offence has been changed between the time the offence was committed and the time of sentencing; and
(o) of appeal to, or review by, a higher court.
(3) Whenever this section requires information to be given to a person, that information must be given as simply and clearly as practicable, in a language that the person understands.
(4) A law is not inconsistent with subsection (1)(b) to the extent that it—
(a) authorises a court to try a member of a disciplined force for a criminal offence despite his or her trial and conviction or acquittal under a disciplinary law; and
(b) requires the court, in passing sentence, to take into account any punishment awarded against the member under the disciplinary law.
Access to courts or tribunals
SECTION 15
(1) Every person charged with an offence has the right to a fair trial before a court of law.
(2) Every party to a civil dispute has the right to have the matter determined by a court of law or if appropriate, by an independent and impartial tribunal.
(3) Every person charged with an offence and every party to a civil dispute has the right to have the case determined within a reasonable time.
(4) The hearings of courts (other than military courts) and tribunals established by law must be open to the public unless the interests of justice require otherwise.
(5) Subsection (4) does not prevent—
(a) the making of laws relating to the trials of children, or to the determination of family or domestic disputes, in a closed court; or
(b) the exclusion by a court or tribunal from particular proceedings (except the announcement of the decision of the court or tribunal) of a person other than parties and their legal representatives if a law empowers it to do so in the interests of justice, public morality, the welfare of children, personal privacy, national security, public safety or public order.
(6) Every person charged with an offence, every party to civil proceedings, and every witness in criminal or civil proceedings has the right to give evidence and to be questioned in a language that he or she understands.
(7) Every person charged with an offence and every party to civil proceedings has the right to follow the proceedings in a language that he or she understands.
(8) To give effect to the rights referred to in subsections (6) and (7), the court or tribunal concerned must, when the interests of justice so require, provide, without cost to the person concerned, the services of an interpreter or of a person competent in sign language.
(9) If a child is called as a witness in criminal proceedings, arrangements for the taking of the child’s evidence must have due regard to the child’s age.
(10) The State, through law and other measures, must provide legal aid through the Legal Aid Commission to those who cannot afford to pursue justice on the strength of their own resources, if injustice would otherwise result.
(11) If any fee is required to access a court or tribunal, it must be reasonable and must not impede access to justice.
(12) In any proceedings, evidence obtained in a manner that infringes any right in this Chapter, or any other law, must be excluded unless the interests of justice require it to be admitted.
9. Right to personal liberty
(3) If a person is detained pursuant to a measure authorised under a state of emergency—
(a) the person must, as soon as is reasonably practicable and in any event within 7 days after the start of the detention, be given a statement in writing, in a language that the person understands, specifying the grounds of the detention;
(b) the person must be given the opportunity to communicate with, and to be visited by—
(i) his or her spouse, partner or next-of-kin;
(ii) a legal practitioner;
(iii) a religious counsellor or a social worker; and
(iv) a medical practitioner;
(c) the person must be given reasonable facilities to consult with a legal practitioner of his or her choice;
(d) the detention must, within one month and thereafter at intervals of not more than one month, be reviewed by a court; and
(e) at any review by a court, the person may appear in person or be represented by a legal
practitioner.
CHAPTER II — GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY
PART 9 — PROOF OF CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY
Legal burden of proof—prosecution
57.— (1) The prosecution bears a legal burden of proving every element of an offence relevant to the guilt of the person charged.
(2) The prosecution also bears a legal burden of disproving any matter in relation to which the defendant has discharged an evidential burden of proof imposed on the defendant.
CHAPTER II — GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY
PART 9 — PROOF OF CRIMINAL RESPONSIBILITY
Standard of proof—prosecution
58.— (1) A legal burden of proof on the prosecution must be discharged beyond reasonable doubt.
(2) Sub-section (1) does not apply if the law creating the offence specifies a different standard of proof.
''PART III—LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IN RESPECT OF PROTECTED PERSONS, Notice of trial of protected persons to the served on protecting power, etc.''
8.(b) a protected internee is brought up for trial for an offence for which that court has power to sentence him or her to imprisonment for a term of two years or more:
shall not proceed with the trial until it is proved to the satisfaction of the court that a notice containing the particulars mentioned in sub-section (2), so far as they are known to the prosecutor, has been served not less than 3 weeks previously on the protecting and if the accused is a protected prisoner of war, on the accused and the prisoners' representative.
''PART III—LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IN RESPECT OF PROTECTED PERSONS, legal representation of certain persons''
9.—(I) The court before which:
(a) any person is brought up for trial for an offence under section 3 or section 4 of this Promulgation; or
(b) a protected prisoner of war is brought up for trial for any offence;
shall not proceed with the trial unless -
(i) the accused is represented by counsel; and
(ii) it is proved to the satisfaction of the court that a period of not less than 14 days has elapsed since
instructions for the representation of the accused at the trial were first given to the counsel;
1. En las investigaciones realizadas de conformidad con el presente Estatuto:
(a) Nadie será obligado a declarar contra sí mismo ni a declararse culpable;
(b) Nadie será sometido a forma alguna de coacción, intimidación o amenaza, a torturas ni a otros tratos o castigos crueles, inhumanos o degradantes;
(c) Quien haya de ser interrogado en un idioma que no sea el que comprende y habla perfectamente contará, sin cargo alguno, con los servicios de un intérprete competente y las traducciones que sean necesarias a los efectos de cumplir el requisito de equidad; y
(d) Nadie será sometido a arresto o detención arbitrarios ni será privado de su libertad salvo por los motivos previstos en el presente Estatuto y de conformidad con los procedimientos establecidos en él.
2. Cuando haya motivos para creer que una persona ha cometido un crimen de la competencia de la Corte y esa persona haya de ser interrogada por el Fiscal o por las autoridades nacionales, en cumplimiento de una solicitud hecha de conformidad con lo dispuesto en la Parte IX, tendrá además los derechos siguientes, de los que será informada antes del interrogatorio:
(a) A ser informada de que existen motivos para creer que ha cometido un crimen de la competencia de la Corte;
(b) A guardar silencio, sin que ello pueda tenerse en cuenta a los efectos de determinar su culpabilidad o inocencia;
(c) A ser asistida por un abogado defensor de su elección o, si no lo tuviere, a que se le asigne un defensor de oficio, siempre que fuere necesario en interés de la justicia y, en cualquier caso, sin cargo si careciere de medios suficientes; y
(d) A ser interrogada en presencia de su abogado, a menos que haya renunciado voluntariamente a su derecho a asistencia letrada.
1. El acusado estará presente durante el juicio.
2. Si el acusado, estando presente en la Corte, perturbare continuamente el juicio, la Sala de Primera Instancia podrá disponer que salga de ella y observe el proceso y dé instrucciones a su defensor desde fuera, utilizando, en caso necesario, tecnologías de comunicación. Esas medidas se adoptarán únicamente en circunstancias excepcionales, después de que se haya demostrado que no hay otras posibilidades razonables y adecuadas, y únicamente durante el tiempo que sea estrictamente necesario.
1. Se presumirá que toda persona es inocente mientras no se pruebe su culpabilidad ante la Corte de conformidad con el derecho aplicable.
2. Incumbirá al Fiscal probar la culpabilidad del acusado.
3. Para dictar sentencia condenatoria, la Corte deberá estar convencida de la culpabilidad del acusado más allá de toda duda razonable.
1. En la determinación de cualquier cargo, el acusado tendrá derecho a ser oído públicamente, habida cuenta de las disposiciones del presente Estatuto, y a una audiencia justa e imparcial, así como a las siguientes garantías mínimas en pie de plena igualdad:
(a) A ser informado sin demora y en forma detallada, en un idioma que comprenda y hable perfectamente, de la naturaleza, la causa y el contenido de los cargos que se le imputan;
(b) A disponer del tiempo y de los medios adecuados para la preparación de su defensa y a comunicarse libre y confidencialmente con un defensor de su elección;
(c) A ser juzgado sin dilaciones indebidas;
(d) Con sujeción a lo dispuesto en el párrafo 2 del artículo 63, el acusado tendrá derecho a hallarse presente en el proceso y a defenderse personalmente o ser asistido por un defensor de su elección; a ser informado, si no tuviera defensor, del derecho que le asiste a tenerlo y, siempre que el interés de la justicia lo exija, a que se le nombre defensor de oficio, gratuitamente si careciere de medios suficientes para pagarlo;
(e) A interrogar o hacer interrogar a los testigos de cargo y a obtener la comparecencia de los testigos de descargo y que éstos sean interrogados en las mismas condiciones que los testigos de cargo. El acusado tendrá derecho también a oponer excepciones y a presentar cualquier otra prueba admisible de conformidad con el presente Estatuto;
(f) A ser asistido gratuitamente por un intérprete competente y a obtener las traducciones necesarias para satisfacer los requisitos de equidad, si en las actuaciones ante la Corte o en los documentos presentados a la Corte se emplea un idioma que no comprende y no habla;
(g) A no ser obligado a declarar contra sí mismo ni a declararse culpable y a guardar silencio, sin que ello pueda tenerse en cuenta a los efectos de determinar su culpabilidad o inocencia;
(h) A declarar de palabra o por escrito en su defensa sin prestar juramento; y
(i) A que no se invierta la carga de la prueba ni le sea impuesta la carga de presentar contrapruebas.
2. Además de cualquier otra divulgación de información estipulada en el presente Estatuto, el Fiscal divulgará a la defensa, tan pronto como sea posible, las pruebas que obren en su poder o estén bajo su control y que, a su juicio, indiquen o tiendan a indicar la inocencia del acusado, o a atenuar su culpabilidad, o que puedan afectar a la credibilidad de las pruebas de cargo. En caso de duda acerca de la aplicación de este párrafo, la Corte decidirá.