12:38 PM |
Vanuatu: Minister of Internal Affairs says Government is answerable to the people; not TI
Press Release:
Vanuatu.
Minister of Internal Affairs Says Government is Answerable to the People; Not TI
It is unfortunate to see the Minister of Internal Affairs apparently more upset about Transparency Vanuatu's (TV) ongoing calls for an appropriate government response to the recent Coroner's Inquest report than about the serious issues raised by the Coroner when he responded to the media by stating that the government is only answerable to the people and not to TV.
Transparency Vanuatu will continue to make calls to the government to take immediate steps to address the issues raised and the recommendations in the Coroner's report.
Is Transparency Vanuatu not a civil society organization just like any other NGOs representing the people? Are the staff not ordinary Vanuatu citizens who have the right to demand answers from their elected representatives and the government?
It is entirely appropriate for Transparency Vanuatu to seek answers from the government on such an important issue, just as it is the Government's duty to inform the people on what is happening or what steps are to be taken in addressing such issues.
Sadly, what has been observed over the years is the unwillingness on the part of many officials to accept this and defensive attitude of public officials in disclosing government information publicly.
A right of access to government information is one of the key components of an accountable government. Much of the public's trust rests upon the government being openly accountable for its decisions, actions and mistakes.
When the government operates in secret or refuses to disclose information to the public, it naturally raises suspicions.
Accountability often means that responsibility or blame will be assigned to agencies, or individuals, but that is one of the essential factors of any mature democratic society.
There is also a feeling among many people that the Commission of Inquiry the Government is proposing setting up to look into the circumstances surrounding the death of John Bule in custody is totally unnecessary and will be a waste of public money.
There is also widespread deep skepticism that little or nothing will be done about any conclusions reached by any Commission of Inquiry.
What has been done about any of the previous Commission of Inquiry? The last one was some three years ago after the deaths resulting from a clash between certain members of the Tanna and Ambrym communities living in Port Vila.
What more needs to be known that was not brought out by the Coroner's Inquest? Will people more qualified and independent than the Coroner be appointed?
The oath police officers take is clear and simple. What is needed is perhaps a comprehensive educational awareness campaign focusing on the duties and powers of the police and VMF officers, which may help avoid unnecessary police brutality.
We will continue to take our stand to call on the government to take the appropriate steps in addressing the issues highlighted in the report.
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pacific islands media association
pima.nius@gmail.com
aotearoa, new zealand
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