By Eileen Gould
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

PORT VILA, Vanuatu – A recent report by Vanuatu’s Coroner, in connection with the death of a man being held in police custody, recommended that the government make changes to the Vanuatu Mobile Force, the nation’s police paramilitary unit.

A man recently died while being held by the VMF. As a result, the Vanuatu Coroner, Justice Nevin Dawson, issued a report, which included comments criticizing the VMF.  Dawson described the paramilitary unit as elitist and having a ‘culture of violence and no respect for the law’.

The report said that the Force uses intimidation tactics to get to its opponents.  Dawson recommended that the government control this police unit more.

Government officials claim that his has been a major issue in Vanuatu for many years and were happy to see this issue being addressed.

Ralph Regenvanu, a MP for the government, said, “[t]he fact that there are elements within our Police Force and Vanuatu Mobile Force who have no respect for human rights, they think they are above the law.  This has been mainly with regard to brutality against young people, against detainees.  The way they deal with or do not deal with domestic violence.”

He further commented that although this is the way the VMF has been for many years, the situation hasn’t improved due to continued funding efforts from Australia.

Vanuatu’s government demands that this funding must be cut off since it has done nothing to reverse the trend of violence in Vanuatu.

Academics predict that if the death of this man is not investigated properly, the culture of violence will become worse.

Dr. Andrew Ladley, an adjunct professor at Wellington’s Victoria University, has worked on constitutional and electoral issues in the Pacific region.  He believes that this police force will continue to behave improperly and that Vanuatu could in fact experience a crisis.

Politicians responsible for taking action in light of this incident recognize the fact that the VMF uses intimidation tactics.  Ladley said, “[t]his is potentially a very big crisis looming for Vanuatu, if it isn’t tackled properly”.

For more information please see:
Radio New Zealand International – Australia urged to stop funding Vanuatu’s VMF – 19 March 2010

Radio New Zealand International – Vanuatu MP welcomes report which slams police culture and attitudes – 18 March 2010

Radio New Zealand International – Vanuatu govt moving delicately over Coroner’s report for fear of a coup says MP – 18 March 2010

Radio New Zealand International – VMF actions could spark Vanuatu crisis, warns academic – 17 March 2010