Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Arrest of Papua New Guinea Chief Justice disturbing

31 May 2012

Arrest of Papua New Guinea Chief Justice disturbing development

The arrest of the Chief Justice of Papua New Guinea on charges of sedition is a disturbing development for anyone who believes that an independent judiciary is a requirement for any democracy, the New Zealand Law Society said today.

Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia was arrested six days ago by a group of police and soldiers who stormed the Supreme Court and subsequently charged Sir Salamo with sedition before he was released on bail.

The arrest followed the Supreme Court’s decision that Sir Michael Somare should be reinstated as Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea.

“It is fundamental that courts are able to make decisions and to operate with total independence from pressure by anyone, including the government,” the President of the Law Society, Jonathan Temm, said today.

Mr Temm said the Law Society joined with LAWASIA, the Australian Bar Association and a number of lawyers’ organisations in expressing its alarm at the events in Papua New Guinea.

“The institutions and freedoms we enjoy and take for granted in New Zealand are precious and it is vital that we express our support for the rule of law in other jurisdictions when it is threatened,” he said.

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.