Human rights abuses by Fiji's military are likely to be much wider than the four deaths so far attributed to them, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.
Yesterday an internet site run by journalists monitoring alleged human rights abuses following last year's coup said a fourth man had been
killed by the military.
Fiji's military has already been accused of being responsible for the deaths of 32-year-old salesman John Whippy on New Year's Eve, land surveyor Nimilote Verebasaga, 41, in January, and 19-year-old Sakiusa Rabaka who died last month.
The latest death was said to have occurred after a drugs raid in a rural village.
Mr Peters today said the reports were disturbing and he suspected human rights abuses were much wider.
"When you have no judgment and no rules of engagement when it comes to the enforcing of law and order then these things will happen and I suspect it is more widespread already than the four people who are alleged to have been murdered by the military."
Mr Peters told reporters he did not have "verifiable" evidence of this, but he had received communications that suggested it was not just a rumour.
Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer has raised the issue of the alleged deaths with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva.
Under fire from the deaths, Fiji's military leader, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, has ordered the military to play a reduced role in the maintenance of law and order.
Mr Peters said moves by the United Nations to consider further sanctions against Fiji and threats by the European Union to cut 200 million euros ($394.32) in aid were the inevitable result of Cdre Bainimarama's actions.
Mr Peters said New Zealand had spelt out the likely implications of the military seizing power to Cdre Bainimarama ahead of the coup.
New Zealand and Australia already have sanctions in place.
- NZPA
