Where is the justice?

May 15, 2025 | News, Opinion | 0

Peter Walker, Director and co-founder of Wan Smolbag (WSB) and a survivor of a brutal 2019 assault, is appealing for accountability and an explanation for the release of 70 prisoners through a presidential commutation.

“I was shocked to read of the commuting of sentences for 70 inmates scheduled for immediate release,” he said.

Walker said the decision was made without any consultation or prior notification to victims of the crimes, describing the move as both disrespectful and dangerous.

“It’s simply morally right to inform victims before such decisions are made,” he said. “These crimes have lasting impacts. To release offenders—especially those convicted of rape and violent assault—without warning feels like a betrayal.

“The majority of those released were serving time for serious offences, some against women and children. One individual was convicted in April for raping his daughter. If released now, he would have served just two months. How is that fair? How does this prioritise victims or protect the community?”

Mr. Walker acknowledged that conditions at the Port Vila Correctional Centre worsened after the December 17 earthquake, but stressed early release should not be the answer.

“Just letting them go is not justice,” he said. “Victims live with trauma for life, while some offenders serve only a few months.”

He was especially distressed to learn that one of his own attackers was on the list—without any prior notice.

“I only found out through the Gazette,” he said. “It feels like the President’s Office doesn’t care about our safety or what we’ve been through.

“Since this sudden news, memories of that awful night have flooded back into my mind. My cousin from New Zealand, just raped by two of the attackers, lying there,10 kilometres from any road, saying ‘If I don’t get to a hospital soon, I will bleed to death’. Her husband nursing his wife, his head bleeding profusely; and myself only half conscious from my own beating and with a broken jaw, staggering into the night to look for help.

“One of my attackers would shortly have been eligible for parole, but it still would have been good to know this was being brought forward. My heart goes out to all those who are still in the early stages of recovery only to discover their attackers are free again.”

He questioned whether deteriorating prison conditions justify the mass release of inmates.

“You say it’s a commutation, not a pardon. But doesn’t this still send a message to offenders: ‘Don’t worry, you’ll only serve a few months’? What message does this send to police, correctional officers, prosecutors and judges working to uphold justice and keep us safe?”

Walker called on the President’s Office and the Correctional Services Department to explain the criteria used in selecting inmates for early release and why no victim consultation took place.

“We’re told people like ‘Joss and Joslyn’ are threats to society, but 70 convicted criminals—including rapists and murderers—are being released back into our communities. How is this just?”

He mentioned at least two offenders released under a smaller commutation in 2024 had already reoffended.

“How will this impact public safety? How many victims will be retraumatised by the sudden release of their attackers? What will potential investors or tourists think when assessing how safe Vanuatu really is?”

Walker also questioned the priorities of decision-makers.

“The Constitution was amended quickly to restrict LGBTQIA+ rights, but no changes were made to commutation rules—allowing convicted rapists and murderers to be freed early without safeguards. What does that say about our values?”

Mr. Walker urged other victims affected by the release to speak up.

“If there are others who are concerned or fearful of this release, please feel free to reach out to me by email,” he said.

President’s decision undermines justice: VWC

The Vanuatu Women’s Centre (VWC) has also spoken out against the May 2, 2025, commutation of the prisoners’ sentences, calling it inappropriate, unjustified, and deeply troubling for victims of violent and sexual crimes. The decision, officially gazetted on May 9, was signed by the President as stipulated under Article 38 of the Constitution.

Tatavola Matas, Coordinator of the VWC and a qualified lawyer, said the nature of the commutation—transforming long prison sentences into community service—is an alarming deviation from established legal practices. “Commutation should mean reducing a sentence to a lesser prison term—not swapping it for years of community work,” she said.

Ms Matas highlighted two cases to illustrate the problem: one involving a convicted killer sentenced in 2024 to 17 years, whose punishment was changed to 17 years of community work; and another involving a man convicted of murdering his wife, whose 23-year sentence—upheld by the Court of Appeal—was reduced to just 12 years and four months of community work.

“The majority of these 70 individuals are sexual offenders, convicted of rape, incest, and other serious crimes,” Matas said. “Others were found guilty of murder and violent assaults. How did the President arrive at such a decision? How could such serious crimes be downgraded in this way?”

Matas expressed strong concern that the commutation bypassed the work of judicial and justice institutions. “The President has overlooked the efforts of police, prosecutors, correctional officers, and the judiciary. These are people who work tirelessly to ensure justice and safety in Vanuatu. To undo their work like this sends a message that our legal system is meaningless.”

She noted that many victims of sexual abuse in Vanuatu know their abusers personally, often living in the same communities. “These victims take great courage to speak up, often under threat. And now, to have their abusers released back into the same community without any consultation—it’s not just careless, it’s dangerous.”

Matas questioned whether the Department of Correctional Services or State House had conducted any consultation with victims, parole boards, or local communities. “Some of these offenders are dangerous. If they reoffend, who will the people blame?”

The VWC acknowledged the poor condition of the Port Vila prison following the December earthquake, but stressed that this should not be used as an excuse for commutation. “Development partners are already supporting the government in this area. Releasing prisoners because of infrastructure problems is unacceptable.”

Matas called on the national government to take action by forming a parliamentary committee to create clear guidelines for presidential pardons and commutations. “The President’s Office is the highest office in our land. It must be advised with integrity and follow strict processes. We cannot afford decisions that endanger the safety of our people,” she said.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Amid the public outrage and questions over the President’s recent pardoning of convicted rapists and the alarming increase in child abuse cases in Vanuatu, the REACH Family Centre is calling on Parliament to pass the proposed Child Protection Bill, saying stronger laws are needed to hold people who abuse children accountable. Every day at the REACH Family Centre, Mansen Roy and Salokie Narfi work alongside children experiencing challenges no child should face. Some are struggling with overwhelming stress. Others are navigating violence at home, bullying, online harm and the fear of speaking out. For Narfi, a counsellor and group work practitioner for children and adolescents, the hardest part is seeing how many suffer in silence. “Children want to come for help, but they are scared of the consequences,” she says. “Some are afraid their parents will find out. Others are afraid nobody will believe them.” Using drawing, play therapy and other child-friendly approaches, Narfi helps children express emotions they cannot find the words for. She remembers one child who repeatedly blacked out at school. “Through counselling, the child understood the emotional pain carried,” she says. “The mother also received counselling. Today that child is brighter, more confident and looking forward to the future.” But not every story has such a hopeful ending. Roy, REACH’s Acting Executive Director, says many of the challenges children face are made worse by gaps in protection and understanding. “Violence against children remains one of the biggest issues,” he says. “We should teach, guide and love children,” he says. “Wrong treatment can create trauma that children carry for their whole lives, like a scar that never goes away.” Against this backdrop, REACH is pushing for the proposed Child Protection Bill to reach Parliament and become law. Both Roy and Narfi say the legislation would strengthen their work by creating a clearer approach to responding when children are at risk of serious harm, including sexual abuse. It would also help place children’s wellbeing at the centre of decision-making. “This Bill will support our work in the field,” Mansen says. “The justice system punishes perpetrators, but what about the survivors? Children also need healing, psychological support and protection to move forward into the future.” Narfi says the law would also ensure serious cases of abuse are recognised early and responded to properly. “Children are the future of the country,” she says. “If this Bill passes, we can build a stronger Vanuatu with children who are supported, protected and able to become the future leaders of our nation.” REACH is one of the few organisations in Vanuatu providing holistic support to entire families, working with mothers, fathers and children together because lasting change begins at home. Yet the demand for counselling and mental health support continues to grow, while resources remain limited. Roy believes passing the Child Protection Bill is no longer simply a legal decision – it is a moral one. “Child protection affects everyone because every one of us was once a child,” he says. For the children who are too frightened to speak, and for those still carrying invisible scars, the time to act is now. SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Vanuatu’s education crisis a ‘national disaster’ – Pikinini Playtime CEO August 12, 2026
Pikinini Playtime founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tony Batten has described Vanuatu’s education situation as a “national disaster”, warning that poor literacy outcomes among children could affect the country’s future development. Speaking during an interview on Kava Mo Kajap, Mr. Batten said reports that around 70 per cent of children are unable to read and write at the expected level should be treated as a serious national concern. “I think it is a national disaster, like a hurricane or an earthquake,” Mr. Batten said. He said Vanuatu’s greatest resource is not its land or natural resources, but its people, and education is the foundation needed to develop that human resource. “Human resources are the number one resource for Vanuatu,” he said. Mr. Batten said countries that have successfully moved from being less developed to more advanced economies have done so by investing heavily in education and building a skilled population. However, he said Vanuatu’s current education results remain a major concern despite the country spending a significant amount of its national budget on education. “Vanuatu gives a lot of money per capita into education, but the results are still among the lowest in the Pacific,” he said. The Pikinini Playtime founder said the challenge is not only about funding but about how the education system delivers results. He questioned why many students continue to leave school without basic reading and writing skills despite years spent in classrooms. Mr. Batten said the impact of poor education outcomes can also be seen in the country’s workforce, where businesses often recruit skilled workers from overseas to fill positions. “We bring people from the Philippines and other countries to do accounting, bookkeeping, management, building and supervisory work, but many ni-Vanuatu are not able to take those opportunities because they do not have the basic education,” he said. He said the literacy issue must be addressed early because children who fail to develop strong reading skills in their early years often struggle throughout their education journey. Mr. Batten also raised concerns about the value placed on education within the system. He said teacher absenteeism, weak accountability and a lack of support for educators contribute to children losing confidence in learning. “When children see that school is not important, they begin to believe they don’t need school,” he said. Mr. Batten acknowledged that many teachers are working under difficult conditions but said the system needs stronger support, training and leadership to improve outcomes. He believes improving education requires everyone involved — government, schools, teachers, principals and parents — to work together. “Children are smart. They have the ability. But they need the right support and the right opportunities,” he said. Mr. Batten said addressing literacy must become a national priority because the future of Vanuatu depends on the quality of education provided to today’s children. SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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