Judge calls for cooperation

ALL law and justice sectors in the country must work together to achieve results, Justice Richard Kassman says.
He said the sectors should share responsibilities to ensure the law and justice system was working for the betterment of the nation.
“We all work in the system. We have to empower each other so that issues that we are confronted with, we can overcome and don’t think that you yourself will solve the problems,” he said.
“We are all in the system together. I can only provide the leadership. The police, the magisterial system, correctional services, the CBC officers, are also important persons.
“They do the pre-sentence reports and to our large extent, our sentences and penalties are assisted by the CBC officers.”
Kassman, who is the resident judge in Mendi, Southern Highlands, was giving an overview of human rights law to senior police officers who were undergoing a training workshop in Enga.
“We do our job first and foremost and everyone is doing theirs.
“But don’t shy away and afraid. Put your hands up and say ‘I have got a problem or made an error here.’ 
“By doing this, we, judges and magistrates, will identify your problems and you will understand our problems,” he said.
Kassman said by sharing their problems they would understand their role and try to rectify their problems for a better justice system.
He added that the human rights rules of the National Court came into effect in 2011 and enforced the rights of the people.
He said he was one of five judges who dealt with human rights issues. The human rights panel was headed by Madang resident judge Justice David Cannings.
“They have a Human Right track and all cases are registered at respective provinces and under the Constitution, they are responsible to commence an action in the court of law in regards to human rights.”