Marshall Islands Chief Judge Chides Government for Illegal Detention of Prisoners
March 29th, 2009Visited 69 times, 1 so far today
By Ryan L. Maness
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Oceania
Majuro, MARSHALL ISLANDS – Marshall Islands Chief Justice Carl Ingram has criticized police and government forces for the second time in as many monthsover the unlawful detention of a prisoner. During an assault hearing, Justice Ingram learned that the defendant, Bai Lanej, had been held in a Majuro prison for thirteen months before coming before receiving a hearing. Lanej, who was arrested in February 2008 on charges of aggravated assault, has been sitting in prison until this week. Under Marshall Island law, a person must be given a hearing within twenty-four hours of being arrested or be released. In response to the Lanej’s treatment, Justice Ingram ordered him released on his own recognizance until the case is resolved.
This is not the first time that Justice Ingram has had harsh words for the government over treatment of prisoners, last month he discovered that a prisoner was held for a month after his release date without advising the court.
Speaking of the situations in the Marshall Islands, Justice Ingram said, ““If the Ministry of Justice does not take action immediately to correct this situation, the Court will do as much as it can consistent with the Constitution and the laws of the Republic.”
The United States’ State Department issued a report last month, finding that the prison conditions in Majuro did not comply with international standards. Among the deficiencies reported were inadequate lighting, poor ventilation, poor sanitation and a lack of separate facilities for female and juvenile prisoners.
For more information, please see:
Marshall Islands Journal – Lanej left to rot in jail – 27 March 2009
Radio New Zealand International – Marshall Islands Chief Justice angered by treatment of some prisoners – 27 March 2009
