Chairperson of Women Against Crime and Corruption (WACC) and Gender Equity in Parliament, and spokesperson for human rights in Vanuatu, Jenny Ligo has called on the Minister of Justice to revisit resources which are donated to curb violence against women.
She made the call after the Supreme Court acquitted the three drivers, Glen Kovoi, Ben Koro and Charlie Kasuali on the charge of intentional assault of Florence Lengkon last Friday.
“I believe Vanuatu is producing far too many reports without implementing them because it seems as if the more reports are produced, the less action is seen to be taken against alleged trouble makers,” she said.
She said the acquittal of the three bus and taxi drivers accused of the assault of Lengkon at the Main Wharf last March 13, confirms that Vanuatu has many dishonest individuals.
Justice Richard Chetwynd acquitted the trio on the grounds that they had no case to answer to because no witness came forward to identify them as the assailants of the victim.
Although three names were recorded in statements provided by two police officers, there is no evidence as to how Elton Worwor (President of Port Vila Land Transport Association) knew that the three individuals were involved in the assault.
Ligo says it is sad that over 50 drivers of the Port Vila Land Transport Association were present at the Main Wharf on the day and yet, none of them could come forward to identify the person or persons who caused the brutal attack on Lengkon.
The victim took the case to court after she was kidnapped from her workplace and driven to the Main Wharf, where she was punched which left one of her eyes swollen and closed, and forced to apologise to the drivers for criticizing their aggressive behaviour at the wharf on Facebook.
The outspoken North Ambaean leader says what happened indicates that women will continue to be denied their right to justice.
“This is especially true when our leaders often remind us that no one is above the law and justice is for everybody,” she says. READ MORE
SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST