Four-year-old Martin's 'detention' in Bomana Prison a breach in human rights, says lawyer

News that matter in Papua New Guinea

Four-year-old Martin's 'detention' in Bomana Prison a breach in human rights, says lawyer

PORT MORESBY: Human rights lawyer Danny Gonoi says four-year-old Martin, who was made to live with his mother in Bomana Prison for more than two years without any court proceeding, “is a very serious breach of the Constitution”.

“It is a case of breaching human rights in its worst category. The ‘detention’ of Martin, who has no knowledge of any crime committed, is also in the worst category of breach of human rights,” he added.

The news break was reported by The National:

Four-year-old boys’ rights breached, says lawyer

January 13, 2023The NationalNational

By AILEEN KWARAGU
HUMAN Rights lawyer Danny Gonol says four-year-old Martin, who was made to live with his mother in Bomana Prison for more than two years without any court proceeding, “is a very serious breach of the Constitution”.
“It is a case of breaching human rights in its worst category. The ‘detention’ of Martin, who has no knowledge any crime committed, is also in the worst category of breach of human rights,” he added.
Gonol said he would offer his services if he was based in Port Moresby free of charge to ensure Martin and his mother were released from custody.
He was commenting on the Martin saga, whose family were “freed” on bail by the National Court on Jan 6 after they were arrested in June 2020 for alleged sorcery-related violence.
“Section 42 of the PNG Constitution is very clear on this. It talks about the liberty of a human being,” he said,
“Subsection two states, a person who is arrested or detained shall be informed promptly in a language that he understands of the reasons for his arrest or detention and also to communicate without delay to family members and a lawyer of his choice.
“He must also be informed of his rights.
“Subsection three provides a person arrested or detained, unless he is released, be brought without delay before a court or judicial officer,” he added.
He said as a human rights lawyer his concern would be on the lengthy detention of the family without being taken to court.
“Papua New Guinea’s Constitution Section 42, Subsection five does provide relief in such situations.
The persons detained can lodge a complaint with the National Court or a judge that a person is unlawfully or unreasonably detained,” he said.
Martin’s Mother Saitava Steven, father Akeikei Tobiro, grandfather Topiro Nanai, aunty Negevia Topiro, uncle Tobuie Topiro were granted K200 bail each.
For more than two years, they were held in prison without being charged.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Growing unemployment rate in Papua New Guinea

Image
News that matter in Papua New Guinea Growing unemployment rate in Papua New Guinea (Employment stagnant since 2014) PORT MORESBY: Employment in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has remained stagnant since 2014 with millions of unemployed looking for jobs. The formal job market currently can only accommodate between 400,000 and 500,000, Institute of National Affairs executive director Paul Barker says. “As more young people enter the job market this year after graduating from tertiary institutions and schools, the chances of securing formal employment is slim. “Employment had remained stagnant despite the increase in potential workers coming out of educations institutions,” he added. Read on for more details as published by The National : Hard to get jobs January 27, 2022 The National Main Stories By DALE LUMA MILLIONS of eligible workers around the country are looking for jobs in the formal sector, which currently can
Read more

Sugu Valley tribal war death toll rises to at least 30

Image
News that matters in Papua New Guinea Armed tribal warriors on the move in Sugu Valley. Sugu Valley tribal war death toll rises to at least 30 PORT MORESBY: At least six tribes have been fighting in Sugu Valley (Kagua-Erave, Southern Highlands) since Feb 10, 2019, without any signs of an end and peace. In fact, the death toll has risen to at least 30, up from 11 on May 23, 2019, and the opening of a new battlefront in Sumbura near Poroma with multiple deaths reported in 24 wards. Armed tribal warriors on the march into the forests and jungles. PNG Cyber Monitor had on a May 25, 2019, posting ( https://pngcybermonitor.blogspot.com/2019/05/real-life-rifles-bows-and-arrows-bloody.html Real life rifles, bows and arrows bloody fights in PNG ) highlighted the bloody battle waged by tribal warriors armed with rifles, bows and arrows and knives. PNG Cyber Monitor is again highlighting the plight of the villagers who have been living in fear as reported by The Nationa
Read more

Sorcery shame for Papua New Guinea in X’mas

Image
News that matter in Papua New Guinea Sorcery tortures and violence are still being practised in Papua New Guinea in this 21st Century digital era. Sorcery shame for Papua New Guinea in X’mas PORT MORESBY: It was international shame for Papua New Guinea (PNG) this Christmas when sorcery reared its ugly head. Six women were stripped, bound to poles and burnt with hot knives as they screamed in pain, watched by an unsympathetic crowd. In a video that has gone viral in the internet, the women were accused of practising sorcery in Southern’s Enga. Police Comm David Manning described the sorcery torture as vile, inhumane, uncivilised, void of any human decency. “Papua New Guinea cannot progress without letting go of these horrific traditional beliefs. We have launched an urgent probe into the incident in Aiya’s Pawayamo village in Kagua-Erave.” The news break was published by The National : Horror torture of women Decem
Read more