100 detainees cramped in a cell built for 20 since X’mas!

 News that matter in Papua New Guinea


Some of the men charged with drug offences travelling in a canoe with police from Balimo to Daru in De3cember. -Pic supplied by South Fly police commander Chief Insp Ewai Segi to The National.

100 detainees cramped in a cell built for 20 since X’mas!

PORT MORESBY: A police lock-up, built to hold 20 detainees in Western’s Daru, is currently cramped with about 100 men.

They have been in detention since Christmas and their predicament is caused by delays in having their cases heard in court.

Why? Because there is no magistrate to hear their cases!

How the Government, particularly the Justice Ministry, allow this to happen is mind boggling.

Why is this matter not treated seriously and with urgency by the Government, only God knows!

PNG Cyber Monitor opines this sad state of affair is not only an injustice to the detainees, it is a serious breach of human rights, and inhumane to say the least.

For details of the issue, PNG Cyber Monitor reproduces below a report published by The National:

 Long wait for justice

February 19, 2021The NationalMain Stories

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
NEARLY 100 men have been stuck in an overcrowded police station cell in Daru, Western since Christmas waiting for a magistrate to hear their cases, according to police.
South Fly Police Commander Senior Inspector Ewai Segi told The National yesterday that the men had been charged with various crimes, including 10 charged with the kidnapping of expatriates in Middle Fly in July last year.
The cell should only be holding 20.
“They are crowded together in the police station cell because there is no magistrate to hear their cases,” Insp Segi said.
“The police cell has a holding capacity of 20 but at times it can reach 30.
“Now we have 100 men in the cell.”
He said they had released in November 19 men charged with minor offences such as drunk and disorderly.
“We released them in good faith that once a magistrate is made available, they will return to court,” he said. It reduced the number to 81 but then 19 more were arrested in December for illegal fishing or poaching, drug production, gun offences and other crimes.
“No magistrate is available to hear their cases,” he said.
Of the 10 charged with kidnapping six expatriates at a logging camp in Middle Fly in July, six were released after money was paid by their relatives when negotiations between police and the kidnappers failed.
More than 40 of the men in custody are facing charges relating to marijuana.
“The production of marijuana is a huge problem because of logistical support and manpower.
“Sheer determination by police saw them rounding up the men between July and December,” he said.
“The marijuana produced is sold across the border to buy guns and ammunition.”
Around 46 are facing various charges relating to illegal fishing and poaching in the province.
“All these (100) men are sitting in the cell awaiting their court appearance,” he said.
“When their cases will heard, I do not know.
“We have no choice but to remand them.
“We need a magistrate to hear their cases soon so we can clear the police cells.”
No comment could be obtained from the justice ministry on when a magistrate can be sent to Daru.

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