(PINA/IFEX) – Concern is growing in the Fiji Islands news media over a decision by the Chief Magistrate to allow a closed court hearing reportedly because the person charged is a “well known” public figure. On 6 November 1998 (local date), details emerged of a case in which the Fiji Labour Party’s administrative officer, Rajendra […]
(PINA/IFEX) – Concern is growing in the Fiji Islands news media over a
decision by the Chief Magistrate to allow a closed court hearing reportedly
because the person charged is a “well known” public figure. On 6 November
1998 (local date), details emerged of a case in which the Fiji Labour
Party’s administrative officer, Rajendra Chaudhry, son of the opposition
Labour Party’s parliamentary leader, was allowed to have a traffic case
heard in chambers without the public or journalists present. Chaudhry was
fined $F100 (approx. $US 50) for driving a motor vehicle while disqualified
from obtaining or holding a driver’s licence. A spokesperson for Chief
Magistrate Salesi Temo’s office was quoted as saying the case was not held
in open court because Chaudhry was a “well known” public figure. Chaudhry’s
lawyer, Mehboob Raza, who sought the closed court hearing, was quoted as
saying Chaudhry suffered from ill health and appearing in open court would
have been further torture for him.
In an editorial on 6 November (local date), Fiji’s biggest daily newspaper,
“The Fiji Times”, called the closed court hearing “not only astonishing but
discriminatory.” It said the case “gives the impression that the well known
members of our community do not have to face an open court during the
hearing of their criminal cases. Others less fortunate and not too well
known have to face an open court which media representatives also attend.
Different treatment could lead to suspicion that because such a simple case
has to be heard in private there was something to hide from the public and
the media. The hearing of courts and tribunals established by law,
especially on criminal cases, should always in principle be open to members
of the public and media representatives.”
