LIFE IMPRISONMENT

Nov 14, 2016 | News | 0

A new law is seeking life imprisonment for sexual intercourse with any child under the age of 13.

The new penalty for life imprisonment is contained in a Bill for the Penal Code (Amendment) Act No. of 2016 that is expected to go before the Second Extraordinary Parliament for 2016 starting on December 8 seeking the approval of the Vanuatu lawmakers to increase the penalty from the current 14 years.

If passed by Parliament, the Bill will set the first penalty of life imprisonment in the Penal Code of Vanuatu for any criminal conduct.

The Bill amends the Penal Code Act (CAP 135) “the Act”. The main objective of this amendment is to strengthen the purpose of this Act in providing deterrence, especially individual deterrence for specific offender, according to the Explanatory Note of the Bill.

“The goal is to impose a sufficient penalty to discourage the offender from criminal behavior,” the Explanatory Note states.

“It relates mainly to sexual offenses such as abduction, incest, rape and unlawful sexual intercourse.”

“The Courts have highlighted the fact that the current penalties need to be reviewed and amended to assist the Courts in applying appropriate and fair penalties according to the seriousness of the offenses committed.”

The Bill for the Penal Code (Amendment) Act is seeking 10 amendments to the Act and in some cases doubling the term of prison sentences for sexual offenses, highlighting the increasing number of serious sexual offenses, especially against minors and incest in the country today. READ MORE

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Mind Care Unit Unveiled March 30, 2023
New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nanaia Mahuta, and Vanuatu’s Minister of Health, Marco Mahe, unveiled the Mind Care Unit Building yesterday at the Vila Central Hospital (VCH). The Mind Care Unit Building was refurbished in 2021 in response to damages caused by Tropical Cyclone (TC) Harold and to support the COVID – 19 responses. The Unit promoted the inclusive delivery of Mental Health Services to all, leaving no one behind. The refurbishment was funded by the Government of Aotearoa New Zealand. During the unveiling of the building, Minister Mahuta remarked on the longstanding relationship between New Zealand and Vanuatu. “I am here to continue the nature of that relationship, but to actually acknowledge Vanuatu’s leadership significantly on the issue of climate change,” she said. “When we think about this facility and support for mental health, we know that we need to do more, because it must be really difficult for many of our families living in villages. “Resilience is not just about mindset; resilience is a commitment to building on our relationship and building a better future for the people who live in such difficult circumstance.” She stated that the significance of the impact of climate change through cyclones and natural disasters on the people is something that must be addressed. “What a privilege it is for me to be here today and open this facility with Minister Mahe, and also the Mind Care team,” Minister Mahuta said. “I want to acknowledged the Pacific Medical Association team who are here today and the quick response for our Pacific neighbors.” According to Minister Mahe, New Zealand and Vanuatu have benefited from a great relationship from the past. “Today, I believe for the future we will have more fruitful outcome. For that, I would like to take this opportunity to express our deepest appreciation towards the Government of New Zealand for being always by Vanuatu side and always good friend to Vanuatu,” he said. “New Zealand has been a true friend of Vanuatu people, thank you for the help in the past and present, and the help that will come in the future. “It is a great honor for me today especially for Minister Mahuta to unveil the project that has been waited for long for the people of the Republic of Vanuatu.” He also said Vanuatu has been through two severe tropical cyclones that has brought the country down to its knees, however, having friends like New Zealand, has always helping Vanuatu get up on its feet. “Some fruitful partnership with New Zealand, in 2021 New Zealand provide support repairing infrastructure damage by tropical cyclone Harold that was badly damage the northern part of our country. New Zealand was there to help us rebuild our health facilities,” Minister Mahe said. “I would like to acknowledge the continues support from the government of New Zealand. New Zealand is also currently supporting our children in the Children’s Ward, and also during the COVID-19, New Zealand Government has help Vanuatu to address the crisis that have occurred globally. “I would like to welcome the Pacific Medical Association who will assist mental health and psychological support. They will be supporting the Ministry of Health’s response to TC Judy and Kevin.” The Mind Care Unit offers a range of mental health services including outpatient and inpatient alongside training for wider health center. ____________________________________________________________________________ SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Women call for Respect and Safety after harassment incidents at Bladinere March 29, 2023
Several women living in Port Vila have expressed their concerns over recent incidents that occurred in the Bladiniere area. One such incident involved a female resident who was harassed by young boys while walking on the road. Although the Vanuatu Police Force did not receive a report about the incident, a reconciliation ceremony was held in Bladiniere last Sunday to address it. During the ceremony, a spokesperson warned the boys that they would face serious consequences if they continued to harass women. However, local women remain frustrated and are calling on young boys to respect women as they would their own family members. One woman who preferred to remain anonymous said blaming the victim is not the solution and that women should not have to feel unsafe when walking alone. She suggested that authorities should consider the number of jobless and out-of-school individuals during the national census and move them back to their native islands. Hanna Paul, who lives in Bladiniere, emphasised the need for young unemployed boys to respect women. She reminded them that they were born to a woman and asked them how they would feel if their sister or mother were treated poorly. Paul also called on parents to teach their children the value of respecting others. Rita Alick, another concerned woman, expressed her disappointment with the current system of reconciliation, which involves a simple exchange of apologies and gifts. She suggested that the police should take stricter measures, such as beating or locking up the young boys, to teach them a lesson. Women are demanding respect and calling for more effective solutions to address the issue of harassment in their community. Parents and authorities alike have a role to play in teaching young boys the importance of treating women with respect and dignity. ____________________________________________________________________________ SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Exciting Opportunity for Women Sports Journalists in the Pacific March 28, 2023
Twenty-four women sports journalists and sportswomen from across the Pacific and Asia are being offered commentary and mobile journalism training, and the chance to work at the Women’s World Cup in Australia in July. There has been a flurry of applications from across the Pacific region including Vanuatu as confirmed by the coordinators. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s International Development unit (ABCID) has partnered with the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) to provide a program that develops skills and provides opportunities to women in sports media. It’s believed to be the first time such a large-scale journalism training and development program has been implemented in conjunction with such a major sporting event. ABCID Programme Coordinator, Jo Elsom, said: “We are seeking expressions of interest from journalists and sports analysts in American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tonga, Vanuatu and Vietnam.” The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be the ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the quadrennial international women’s association football championship contested by women’s national teams and organised by FIFA. The tournament will be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand, and is scheduled to take place from July 20 to August 20. It will be the first FIFA Women’s World Cup to have more than one host nation, and also the first senior World Cup for either sex to be held across multiple confederations, as Australia is in the Asian Confederation while New Zealand is in the Oceania Confederation. ______________________________________________________________________________ SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Gov’t to Pay VT34 Million after Baseless Termination March 24, 2023
The Supreme Court in Port Vila has ordered the Government of Vanuatu, through the Public Service Commission (PSC), to pay the outstanding entitlements of VT34,102,451 to the former Director General (DG) of the Ministry of Justice and Community Services (MOJCS), Dorosday Kenneth Watson, for unjustified termination. In the verdict, Supreme Court Judge Viran Molisa Trief said that the judgment is entered for the Claimant in Civil Case No.21/3889, Mrs. Watson, and the Defendant is the PSC. Justice Trief awarded her a four times multiplier of her severance allowance in terms of the Employment Act in the sum of VT16,591,744. She ordered that the Defendant pay the claimant the following outstanding entitlements and the four times multiplier of the severance allowance in the total sum of VT34,102,451. The entitlements include her remaining salary of VT8,908,720; salary increment of VT591,318; annual leave of VT513,450; accommodation of VT920,000 and establishment allowance of VT40,000; Vanuatu National Provident Fund (VNPF) contributions of VT830,202; other expenses of VT57,407; three months notice of VT1,051,674; and severance allowance of VT4,237,936. Justice Trief ordered that the interest is to be paid on the judgment sum at the rate of 5% per annum from March 18, 2021, until fully paid, and the costs must follow the event. She also ordered that the Defendant is to pay the Claimant’s costs on the standard basis as agreed or taxed by the Master. Once set, the costs are to be paid within 21 days. Mrs. Watson as the first female DG of the country was appointed by PSC as the DG to the MOJCS for a term of four years. She had served in the public service since 1987 and had served as Director of the Department of Fisheries, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Director of the Department of Women’s Affairs. In November 2018, she signed a contract with PSC to become the DG to the MOJCS. On July 30, 2020, in his official speech to mark the 40th independence anniversary, then Prime Minister Bob Loughman announced that one of the government priorities was to create a new Ministry of Fisheries, Ocean and Maritime Affairs. On November 15, 2020, the Council of Ministers (COM) approved, during its meeting at Lakatoro on Malekula, the restructuring of the MOJCS into a Ministry of Fisheries, Ocean, and Maritime Affairs. On November 27, 2020, Mrs. Watson sought and obtained orders staying the decision of COM. On December 1, then Minister of Justice and Community Services, Esmon Saimon, lodged a complaint about Mrs. Watson to the PSC, accusing her of rebelling and working against the government. Following the complaints of the minister, PSC terminated Mrs. Watson’s contract, but she challenged it in court on the basis of unjustified termination, and the court granted her application. Mrs. Watson was represented in court by Mr. Mark Hurley of Hurley Lawyers. Justice Trief delivered her verdict on Mrs. Watson’s case on March 17, 2023. __________________________________________________________________________ SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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MCH services to resume tomorrow March 14, 2023
The Mother and Child Health (MCH) Unit in Port Vila is set to resume services tomorrow, Wednesday, following the suspension of operations due to damages caused by Tropical Cyclone (TC) Kevin. The SHEFA Health Office has issued a statement to inform the public, especially mothers, of the reopening of the unit and the resumption of its services. The MCH Unit is a vital facility in Port Vila, providing essential health services to women and their babies. Temporary works were done to ensure the MCH Unit was prepared to resume its vital services and provide much-needed support to mothers and children in the community. The SHEFA Health office reports that additional measures have been taken, including identifying an alternate space for mothers and babies to use on rainy days. Works to repair the building will be ongoing. The office has also urged all mothers to continue to prioritize their health and their children’s health and to use the services provided by the MCH Unit. _______________________________________________________________________ SOURCE: Vanuatu Daily Post

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