By Cindy Trinh
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania
PORT VILA, Vanuatu – The Vanuatu government promises that it will take action following the serious allegations made against the police paramilitary unit, the Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF).
Vanuatu Coroner, Justice Nevil Dawson, criticized the VMF in a report into the death of a prisoner that was in custody of the VMF. Dawson stated that the VMF had an “unacceptable culture of violence, regarded itself above the law, [and] frequently resorted to intimidation of opponents.” Dawson urged the government to “rein the policy agency in.”
Dr. Andrew Ladley, a professor at Wellington’s Victoria University and who has been closely involved in constitutional and electoral matters in the Pacific, says that Vanuatu could face a major crisis if an investigation into the VMF is not tackled properly.
Ladley says that without a properly run investigation, the VMF will act with no account for the consequences of their actions and the situation will only get worse. He urges for politicians to contemplate taking action and be aware of the VMF’s ability to intimidate.
Ladley stated: “I would imagine, including from reading [Dawson’s] report, that it’s perfectly plain that that kind of pre-emptive intimidation will be very high on the minds of the people most likely to be called to account. Which is why the situation is so dangerous. This is potentially a very big crisis looming for Vanuatu, if it isn’t tackled properly.”
The Vanuatu government is yet to make an official comment, but the Deputy Prime Minister, Sato Kilman, says that the Vanutu government intends to outline their response.
Kilman stated in response to Dawson’s report: “Suffice to say that it is an important finding. It definitely has got some serious allegations in there, which the Government’s intention is to ensure it addresses the issue.”
Transparency International says that the Government has to go much further in its initial comments on Dawson’s report.
Marie-Noelle Ferrieux-Patterson from Transparency International says that “accepting change is necessary and is a good first step, but [the government] needs to go much further.
She stated: “What is very regrettable is that there hasn’t been yet a strong position by the government, saying that we will ensure that those accused of murder are prosecuted, that the people who actually threaten the judge will be prosecuted.”
However, despite many suggestions for the government to take action against the VMF, the Vanuatu Government has partly defended the activities of the VMF.
Don Wiseman, a news reporter in Vanuatu, reported: “[The government] will review internal security practices and the need to harmonize that with human rights particularly when people are being detained and the right to innocence until proven guilty. But the government says circumstances at the time, that is, following a mass prison escape, required the law enforcement agencies to take urgent steps to recapture the detainees. The government is promising to improve interrogation procedures and better training for police staff. It will also implement legislation that clearly prescribes the functions of the VMF and its role in the country’s internal security. And it is reassuring citizens, visitors, and investors that law enforcement must equate with the right to protection under the law.”
For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International – Vanuatu government defends VMF activities in face of criticism – 31 March 2010
Radio New Zealand International – Vanuatu govt urged to go further on coroner’s VMF recommendations – 31 March 2010
Radio New Zealand International – Vanuatu government promises action over coroner report into VMF – 29 March 2010
Pacific News – VMF actions could spark Vanuatu crisis, warns academic – 18 March 2010
Islands Business – VMF actions could spark Vanuatu crisis, warns academic – 17 March 2010
