Compo not immunity
By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
COMPENSATION payments do not provide immunity for crime, Justice Minister Bryan Kramer told The National yesterday.
Responding to The National’s front page report titled “Rape compo” yesterday, Kramer said: “Any person (s) who tells the police to stay out of investigating or prosecuting a crime constituted to perverting the course of justice.
“They are liable to be charged (and prosecuted).”
The National reported yesterday that a Grade 12 schoolboy allegedly raped a Grade 8 schoolgirl in her home in Madang’s Rai Coast on Jan 18.
Police Minister William Onglo said criminal investigations that ended abruptly were because of compensation payments.
“We have many cases that could not be concluded because of compensation payments.
“In that way, the real culprits (or perpetrators or criminals) feel that they can get away with any crime (as long as) compensation is offered.
“(But) we have to ensure we prosecute the suspect (s) and (let) the judge make the decision,” Onglo said.
Police Commissioner David Manning told The National that the challenge for the constabulary was to ensure that compensation was not encouraged and that compensation payments could not replace the criminal justice system.
“We in the constabulary say it should not be an option when dealing with criminal offenders.
“We in the constabulary do not encourage compensation or this type of crime,” he added.
3 comments
Arrest the culprits and bring them to justice. Let the law takes its course and arrest offenders who has committed a crime and stop people from accepting compensation as payment for the crime.
Compensation payments are literally weakening the criminal justice system thus it boost the people to involve in various criminal activities.
In an attempt to integrate aspects of custom into the western-based criminal justice system, the Criminal Law (Compensation) Act was enacted in Papua New Guinea in 1991. The content and effect of this legislation, which empowers the National and District Courts to order the payment of compensation in addition to any other punishment imposed for a criminal offence, are discussed. The prevalence, nature and rationale for the payment of compensation under custom are considered, providing the context within which the legislation was enacted. The effect and application of the Act are explained through an examination of decisions of the National Court where orders for compensation have been made under the Act or where the Act has been considered generally. In conclusion, some comments are made on the scope of the legislation, and the policy it reflects, and some proposals put forward for amendment to the Act.
So, if amendment to the Act outcast this so called Compensation payments and amend other justice or law would be paramount because offenders will not take the advantages of this (compensation payment)…The the offenders will follow the rule of law if this Compensation payments system is outcast-ed in the jurisdiction.
while police are paid to mediate, this is a problem, mediation should never happen in serious crimes such as rape, compensation can be paid (to help the victim) but the suspect should still face the law.
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