Aug 15, 2008
The aftermath of the May 2000 coup continues to affect political life in Fiji.
Following elections in 2001, a dispute over the composition of the Cabinet under the constitution’s power-sharing rules, which was submitted to the High Court, remains unresolved.
Within the High Court, a major crisis has been raging between judges, mainly as a consequence of the Chief Justice’s involvement in advising the illegal military government following the 2000 coup. Access to justice is a problem, with Fijians experiencing long delays, especially in Lautoka. The death penalty was abolished in 2002.
Fiji-Attacks on Justice 2005-Publications-2008 (full text, PDF)
Aug 15, 2008
Against a backdrop of inter-communal violence and the worsening of law and order in the region, the police have reportedly been carrying out abuses, including against detainees, while enjoying impunity.
While the Supreme Court and National Court are generally considered to be independent of the government, local and village courts have often been subject to severe pressure, resulting in justice being severely compromised.
Prosecutors, who are underpaid, are open to corruption, which continues to be of concern generally in political and public bodies.
Papua New Guinea-Attacks on Justice-Publication-2008 (full text, PDF)
Jul 11, 2008
The Republic of Maldives suffers from a weak judicial system which functions as a branch of the executive.
Jul 11, 2008
A rigorous reform program begun as a result of the 1999 National Judicial Reform Conference, including the establishment of an adversarial system for criminal cases, has led to better public perception of judicial integrity.
Jul 11, 2008
Throughout 2002 and the first half of 2003, the judicial system barely functioned as ethnic conflict continued in the Solomon Islands.
