High Court finds PM, President failed to ensure fairness in inquiry report process

Fiji's High Court has ruled that the nation's Prime Minister and President failed to uphold fairness in the process surrounding a Commission of Inquiry report. Justice Dane Tuiqereqere found that individuals facing adverse findings within the report were not given a proper chance to defend themselves before its public release.

The court determined that the applicants, who were criticized in the report, should have been notified of the specific adverse findings against them. They should have also been afforded an opportunity to respond to these criticisms before the commission's findings were made public.

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The Prime Minister and President failed to give those criticised in the Commission of Inquiry report a fair chance to respond before it was released to the public, the High Court has found.

This ruling highlights a significant procedural failing in the commission's work, potentially impacting the validity or perception of its conclusions. The court's decision emphasizes the importance of due process and the right to a fair hearing, even within investigative commission frameworks.

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the applicants should have been told about the adverse findings against them and given an […]