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Law should reflect what’s important to your society: Prof Henaghan

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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(Second from right) Professor Mark Henaghan with the Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer, New Zealand High Commissioner to Solomon Islands and Judges at the High Court Chamber.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

(Second from right) Professor Mark Henaghan with the Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer, New Zealand High Commissioner to Solomon Islands and Judges at the High Court Chamber.

THE Dean of Law of the University of Otago New Zealand Professor Mark Henaghan says that Law should reflect what is important to the society.

Speaking to local journalists earlier this week at the High Court, Henaghan said it is important for the lawyers and judges to listen to the people and say what is not working and what is working in the legal system.

“Are we doing things good or badly it is important for the lawyers to open their minds to the people because the Legal system is only as good as how the people accept it if the people reject it then we do not have any rule of law,” he said.

He said legal system is a system working for the people and not for lawyers and not for judges this is a system for the people to resolve their dispute.

“Anyone out there in the streets will say if something happens I expect the legal system to work for me if it does not work then everyone loses faith in that and then we do not have any law to resolve disputes,” he said.

He also said that everyone in the society has to question the legal system and it is a healthy thing to do that.

Henaghan is currently in the country conducting training for judges, magistrates and lawyers on how they can effectively play their role in delivering their services to the people of Solomon Islands.

The training was made possible by the New Zealand Government who funded Professor Henaghan to come here and conduct the trainings.

He said this training for the justice system for the judges and lawyers of the Solomon Islands and for them to be best lawyers and judges for the Solomon Islands people.

The three-day training completed on Wednesday.

Criticising legal system is common

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

MAKING criticisms against the legal system especially lawyers, magistrates and judges does not mean the legal system is weak.

Responding to questions raised by journalists, Professor Mark Henaghan, who is in the country conducting training for lawyers, magistrate and judges, said public can criticise lawyers and judges putting things online and on Facebook – that is normal.

“When people lost their case they criticise the lawyer and the judges and it is normal, because two people go to court and one loses and they never happy with the legal system because they can’t both win, it is the same in every legal system in the world they get criticism,” Henaghan said

“But I can say you have very good lawyers and judges here they are working very hard to deliver though they have very limited resources.

“Many of them are not paid as much as they would be in other countries they worked really hard worked long hours, so I don’t think you have a weak system.”

He also gave a talk which explained that lawyers have to be disciplined if they do something off track.

He also touched on young new graduate lawyers going into practice, which Henaghan cautions they be monitored by senior lawyers to guide them for an initial period of time.

“We want lawyers to have good protection and just the same in journalism you only learn from the people who are experienced, if you do it your own you can go off track, same for all profession.”

Ministry of Health celebrates World Malaria Day

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

THE Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) commemorated World Malaria Day yesterday through dissemination of information to the public about important work of the Vector Borne Disease and Control Programme (VBDCP) at both national and provincial levels.

With this year’s celebration the VBDCP highlighted great achievements related to addressing vector borne disease globally and challenges the organisation faced throughout the years.

The National VBDCP director, Mr Albino Bobogare said, “Although we are continuously making achievements, there is still a lot of work to be done before we can eliminate malaria in Solomon Islands.”

Bobogare said there was substantial improvement in data coverage and completeness during 2017 as a result of the full roll-out of the VBDCP’s data collection programme.

He said such data allows the MHMS to ascertain whether confirmed malaria cases are being treated correctly according to the national guidelines.

The programme continues to assist provinces that are yet struggling to achieve timely entry of records as a result of poor internet connectivity.

The programme is placing additional emphasis now on developing simple web-based tools that will provide near-instant analysis and reporting at provincial and sub-provincial levels.

This information is crucial to ensuring that the VBDCP can respond to problem areas appropriately.

These achievements are significant, however the public also needs to make changes to keep the malaria cases down, Bobogare said.

He urges public to use mosquito nets properly as directed by health workers as to reduce mosquito bites at night, and strongly emphasises the importance of cleaning our surroundings, covering all storage containers, and ensuring drainage are not blocked with rubbish or other wastes.

Besides that, he advises people diagnosed with malaria to complete their dosage as directed.

“With the MHMS and the public working together, we can move in the right direction towards eliminating malaria in our country,” Bobogare said.

Lanelle hits campaign trail

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Lanelle Orlandrea Tanangada

By Mike Puia

Gizo

Lanelle Orlandrea Tanangada

THE female candidate for the Gizo-Kolombangara by-election, in the Western province, Lanelle Olandrea Tanangada, wasted no time as soon as the nomination period closed yesterday.

Lanelle completed her nomination formalities in Gizo yesterday morning and in the afternoon launched her campaign.

The campaign launching started with a parade through Gizo town. At the venue for the official programme, Lanelle delivered a powerful speech that got the crowd cheering throughout.

Lanelle is the wife of the former Member of Parliament (MP) for the constituency, Jimson Tanangada.

She is contesting along three male candidates. One of them is a former MP and Prime Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo.

Mr Lilo was defeated by Mr Tanangada in the 2014 national general elections.

However, Lilo successfully lodged a petition against Tanangada which led to his disqualification from the seat last November ordered by the High Court.

Since then the Gizo-Kolombangara parliamentary seat has been vacant.

Lanelle said she is contesting the seat in response to calls by the people in the constituency for a leader to continue the work her husband had started.

Jubilation in the air.

This call becomes clear when speakers at the launching programme took their time to speak about their hope for a humble leader. They say Lanelle is the perfect person for the seat.

Lanelle said she had already received criticisms for contesting the seat as a woman.

“I think I know my place. I am a mother and I can speak for the silent majority especially the women and children in the rural areas.

“I want to do my best for the interest of the people in the Gizo-Kolombangara constituency,” Lanelle said.

She said she is confident and is prepared to be the voice of the constituency.

The 38-year-old calls for unity, solidarity and respect during this time until the polling day on May 23.

Lanelle is no ordinary woman. Like her husband, she is a teacher by profession. Lanelle graduated with a Masters in Education at the Waikato University in New Zealand.

She has given up her job as a teacher at Burnscreek School in Honiara to contest the seat.

Lanelle said she is contesting with no “revenge” as she is only putting to action the call by people in the constituency especially their leaders and women.

This is the first time a woman is contesting the Gizo-Kolombangara seat.

Whoever wins this by-election will only serve for seven months before parliament dissolves preparing for fresh national general elections next year.

Bed nets for one-third of population

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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BY LYNTON AARON FILIA

NEARLY 200,000 bed nets will be distributed to 16 locations across the provinces, it is reported.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services through National Vector Borne Disease Control programme is preparing to distribute a total of 186,960 pieces of bed nets soon.

There are 4,621 bales each containing 40 bed nets, which hospitals and clinics in the delivery locations stand to receive soon.

The bed nets come in sizes—single, medium and large.

The target this year is to ensure one-third of the country’s population across Solomon Islands have adult bed nets.

According to National Vector Borne Disease Control programme, this is part of the national campaign strategy to battle malaria and other vector borne diseases in Solomon Islands.

Vector Borne Division also said distribution of mosquito nets now will be an annual activity, new approach implemented this year instead of hosting it after every two years.

Meanwhile, National Vector Borne Division reveals the In-door Residual Spraying has been on hold by the World Health Organisation due to some findings.

According to the Solomon Islands Annual Malaria Programme 2017 Report, 85,976 Long Lasting Insecticide Nets (LLIN) were procured in 2017 including remaining stock of 2016.

More LLIN distributed last year than expected due to incomplete implementation in 2016.

Malaita police officers 1-week training with PRT

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Auki police officers during their training session on Wednesday.

BY GEORGE MANFORD

AUKI

THE Royal Solomon Islands police force (RSIPF) in Malaita are undergoing a gruelling one-week training under the country’s elite unit, the Police Response Team (PRT), in Auki.

PRT instructors from Honiara are in Auki, and immediately began the drills after the PRT facility in the Auki police station was opened on Sunday, April 22.

The training aims to strengthen the officers’ response capacity on any issue that may arise.

Police officers from Atori, Malu’u and Auki are participants.

Auki police officers during their training session on Wednesday.

The PRT instructors will be in Auki for the rest of this week for the training.

A demonstration exercise will be conducted at 9am tomorrow and is open for public and government officials to witness.

The venue for the demonstration exercise will be confirmed later.

A similar exercise was also carried out last year at the Aligegeo football pitch which was witnessed by the Premier of Malaita Province, Peter Ramohia.

Standing in an impenetrable front facing disturbance. Officers trained on formation.

The PRT is the ‘right hand’ unit of the RSIPF against anarchic activities such as riots, heavy crowd resistance to police presence and general disturbances.

Training requirements to enter this elite unit is well-known for being ‘tough and stringent’ which tests for superb physical and mental fitness and outstanding aptitude levels.

The PRT facility was recently opened on Sunday April 22 by a high-level delegation which included the Minister of justice and legal affairs, Australia’s High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, the deputy commissioner of the Australian Police Force, Malaita province deputy premier, RSIPF Commissioner Matthew Varley, and commander of the SI police development programme.

PPC of Malaita province Timothy Apaesi witnessing the training sessions on Wednesday.
Police officers listening to instructions from the PRT instructors.
Police officers holding up their Batons during their training.

Say no to rape culture

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, today rape case in the Solomon Island is one of the immense problems. As a Law student, my concern is to stop such cruel and disrespectful act.

Today, increasing number of girls under the age of 11 became victim of rape in Makira and Isabel province.

It’s a shame, rape culture had breath through our daily lives.

The problem is everywhere and yet we rationalise it.

To forgive is an action but it is wrong when leaving behind the survivors when they are the one who matters the most.

People think rape is always about desire for sex, but the truth is rape is not born of sexual desires, it is a desire to degrade and humiliate another person.

The assailant wanted to take all power away from the victim.

In life we may not have control over things done but the only thing we are in control of is our body.

It is sad that victims of rape had loses control of something that is very personal to them, which is their body.

Once these rights have been deprive, you feel like nothing is left of you.

Victim may leave up with hurt feelings and fear for the rest of their lives.

We must stop such act of violence by educating our children in homes and Schools about sexual consent, what it means, how it works, how to get consent, what to do when a potential sexual partner refuses to give (or retracts) their consent and as well as what the criminal law of our country had define this offence of rape. Nurturing them will help to stop rape culture.

Secondly Legislature should create laws to empower the survivors, not concerning the rapist only.

For instance policies in school or work place to prevent rape culture because survivors of rape don’t feel comfortable to speak out after being sexually assaulted, fearing repercussion of losing jobs, force to leave school or socially isolated.

Therefore creating of good environment where these survivors feel safe in speaking out and calling out their attackers and in which the repercussion for potential rapist to be emphasise instead.

Moreover there should be proper awareness talk about the criminal law concerning rape in the rural areas.

Law should be delivered in simple language or the mother tongue as some people may not know how to read, write or even speak both English and pijin.

By doing so law will be understood and people will say no to rape culture.

Finally Government should financially supported such organisation like “Save the children” in fighting against rape culture and other social problems our country had face by extending awareness programme of rape through media like radio, television channels and outreach program to our provinces.

This will put an end to rape culture.

Well I would call on all good citizen of Solomon Island that it is not too late to make straight the path, It is time to pick up ourselves from the dust and work together with great support in putting an end to rape culture.

Relmah Ha’ananga

Central Honiara

Route of the public buses from central market to KG6

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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DEAR EDITOR, as a Solomon Islanders who lived in the capital city of Honiara, I urge the City Council to change the route of the public bushes from central market to KG 6, because it made the students and the public difficulty to catch the public bushes in time.

The route of the bushes from central market to KG 6 was very distance, compared to the route started from the central market to white river and because of that distance route, the bushes always took the route from the central market to white river, in which made the route from the central market to KG 6 had limited bushes to travel.

As I already experience the difficulty of catching the bushes from the central market to KG 6, the City Council should seriously looking into this matter and re-schedule the route, starting from the central market to SDA then SDA to KG 6, thus this would allow the people easy to catch the bushes from the central market to KG 6.

Therefore I urge the Solomon islander’s citizen to work hand in hand with the city council to re-schedule the route of the bushes and the people should follow the regulation and rules that the City Council tell them to follow, thus this would treat everyone fairly and equally to make our beloved country Solomon Islands lived in harmony in years to come.

Zephaniah Tukumana

USP, Laucala Campus

Thank you Solomon Islands, sorry but why?

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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Members of the Solomon Islands delegation posing with caretaking Papua governor in his office. Photo supplied
Members of the Solomon Islands delegation posing with caretaking Papua governor in his office. Photo supplied

DEAR EDITOR, we, West Papua civil society, consisting of people from Non-Government Organisations, youth, students, women, and indigenous peoples, welcome the government and civil society delegates from the Solomon Islands to our country, West Papua.

We sincerely apologise that because we are not free to express ourselves in the land of our ancestors we cannot welcome you well and honourably as Melanesian relatives.

To be honest we just heard about this visit.

We did not expect this visit would be arranged secretly and unilaterally by the government of Indonesia through its foreign ministry.

We deeply regret that the government of Indonesia did not officially notify the United Liberation Movement of West Papua, a fellow Melanesian Spearhead Group member, of the planned visit.

This visit also reminds us of a similar visit led by the former Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, Mr Gordon Lilo in 2014, which was organised silently by the Indonesian government and military without any involvement or connection to civil society.

We therefore, question the intent and purpose of this visit.

We, civil society of West Papua, express our support to the ULMWP as the organisation who represents our political aspirations and is advocating for West Papuans’ right to self-determination, which has been denied by the Indonesian government and international community for over 50 years.

We insist that the government of Indonesia and other states respect that right.

We wish to emphasise that since West Papua has been forced into shackles through the 1969 Act of NO Choice, there have been human rights violations, forced seizure of Indigenous lands for large mines, oil, gas, and oil palm plantations, transmigration programmes and mega agriculture projects, all in the name of development.

All these have harmed the people of West Papua, by creating conflict, depriving us of our land and ability to manage our own resources, and human rights violations.

The presence of the Indonesian military and police has disrupted the lives of our people causing havoc and gross violence all for the sake of foreign investment and capitalist’ interests.

The flow of population from outside West Papua is increasing and our people are becoming a minority and marginalised.

Therefore, we fully ask all parties to respect the rights of the West Papuan people to self-determination.

We ask this for the sake of the survival of the Melanesian people in West Papua, your family.

We hope that during this short visit, the Solomon Island government delegation can see, hear and experience firsthand, the reality of the Melanesian people in the land of West Papua.

That is our statement, yours sincerely, the undersigned civil society community of West Papua.

Sincerely, from Jayapura, April 25, 2018, Forum Independen Mahasiswa (FIM), Solidaritas Nasional Mahasiswa dan Pemuda Papua (SONAMAPA), Parlemen Jalanan (PARJAL), Asosiasi Mahasiswa Pegunungan Tengah Papua se-Indonesia (AMPTPI), Komite Nasional Papua Barat (KNPB), Elsham Papua, Gabah Papua, Kolektif Perempuan Papua, Garda Papua, and Dewan Adat Papua.

Signed West Papua Civil Society

Maleai chief raises concern on registering of Famoa council of chiefs

Written by
Milton Ragaruma
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0

BY GEORGINA KEKEA

CHIEF Edward Kingmele of Maleai in the Shortland islands has raised his concern on the proposed plans to register the Famoa Council of Chiefs through a two-day workshop held in Gizo recently.

Kingmele told Island Sun he is concerned about the way, process for consultations had been carried out.

He says already Famoa is a registered organisation and had been established since 1974 while the Famoa Trust Board was incorporated in 1979. He says Famoa was established by the chiefs then as a community and voluntary organisation.

“We are not a political party. We are not part of the province. We are not part of government but we are a community based organisation. We will accept assistance from government. We will accept assistance from province. We will accept assistance from donor partners. We are an accountable body.”

Chief Kingmele said the provincial government should not be dictating to the Famoa Council of Chiefs (FCC) on what to do. He says they will work in cooperation with the provincial government but must be left alone to do things that suit their way of life best.

Kingmele said since the establishment of Famoa, there has been no funding from government.

“Therefore I am concerned. Anything the provincial government wants to do with the FCC or Famoa Trust Board I should be involved because I am the Chairman of FCC and Famoa Trust Board.”

Kingmele says Famoa had been established for more than 40 years now. He says if the provincial government wants to register the FCC, they must do it in the proper way.

He says Shortland Islands has a sacred system where chiefs are in position through traditional heredity and not elected or voted in but gain their chiefly title through lineage. Chief Kingmele says whatever plans western province or the government has, they must synchronise their plans with the system already in place.

“But now there are changes coming and if they want to make this change, they should hold a wider consultation with the people of Shortlands as well so that we can make these changes together. Why are they in Gizo? They should be in the Shortland Islands.”

Kingmele says he is not against any of these changes. He says what he wants to see is that consultations are carried out properly and accordingly and that people fully understand what this means. He said nor should the chiefs be rushed into something they do not fully understand.

On another note, Kingmele raises his disappointment as to why he was not invited to attend this workshop. He said he is still a reigning chief of Maleai, but yet there was no invitation for him to attend the consultations.

That aside, he said he only wished for proper consultations and that the people of Shortland Islands understand the issue since Famoa is all about the people of Shortland Islands.

Kingmele says lest they forget, Famoa has a five year development plan that also guides their operation. Traditional leadership is also entailed in Famoa’s development plan 2014 – 2019.

Famoa Council of Chiefs is the Supreme Authority in Fauro, Mono and Alu [FAMOA] and with Famoa Trust Board [inc] they are accountable for all the decisions and development plans and expenditures made in regards to its development programs and projects which are supported by Chiefs, Elders, People and Community of Famoa.

The workshop held in Gizo was purposely to allow the Famoa Council of Chiefs to re-look at the structure of the council and to look at the possibility of having the body registered under the charitable act.

15 chiefs from Shortland Islands were invited to attend the workshop. The work is part of government’s ongoing program to strengthen the work of chiefs in the country.

The workshop is sponsored by the Ministry of National Unity Reconciliation and Peace and facilitated by the western provincial government.

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