Concerns have been raised on the conduct and behaviour of the National Federation Party’s provisional candidate, Feroz Gulam Mohammed.

Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission, Director, Ashwin Raj is calling on the Police to thoroughly investigate Mohammed’s conduct as this is unbecoming of him to act in this manner.

This matter follows Mohammed’s remarks that hate speech based on a person’s ethnicity and religion should be allowed under free speech.
Raj counted Mohammed’s statement saying freedom of expression comes with responsibility.

Following this, Mohammed made a call to the Director’s office demanding to speak with him.

Raj was not in the office and unable to take this call, therefore, Mohammed said if he didn’t call him back by 5pm yesterday he would post defaming materials on social media of the director.

“I think this is an act of retaliation because I have publicly condemned his arguments about the use of hate speech on the ground of freedom of expression. No one has the right to intimidate public office holders as they discharge their duties. If he has concerns like any other person, he needs to make an appointment come and see the director and raise those concerns with decorum respecting the independency of the office.”

Meanwhile, Raj has filed a complaint of criminal intimidation of a public office holder with CID.