Suspects win human rights appeal

By JAYNE SAFIHAO
THE Madang National Court yesterday ordered that seven suspects, detained at the Jomba police cells, be transferred to the Beon correctional institution to await their court hearing.
They were transferred through a human rights application filed by their lawyer from the Public Solicitor’s Office.
Reports said the seven had been kept at Jomba for more than seven days without being charged.
The suspects, who were under the watchful eyes of police detectives, were brought in and escorted by lawyer  Emmanuel Thomas from the Public Solicitor’s Office.
Thomas said the matter came to light after relatives of a Jonathan Paru complained of unlawful detention.
Paru was seen limping in, unaided, due to a wound allegedly sustained when he was shot while being apprehended.
The court was told thatParu was spotted, shot at and picked up around the Handymart Service Station with police accusing him of being a criminal from Lae when they shot him.
He was apprehended on Dec 17 last year and locked up at Jomba. His wounds had not been treated until recently.
The other six had also been detained for more than a week.
The state was told to prepare the case with the matter stood over to this morning.
According to Thomas, the Human Rights Rules, July 2011, is a user-friendly 20-page document that enables the public to have access to and use the forms within the booklet to file any human rights issues they may have.
“It forms part of the National Court rules and its purpose is to find a quick and efficient way to addressing human rights issues.”
A warrant of commitment was also issued yesterday for the seven to spend one night at Beon, away from the over-crowded and unhygienic conditions of the Jomba cells so that they
could at least have a decent bath.
The seven were happily nodding their heads when Judge David Cannings said: “Young Thomas is being good to you all so do not go and do a stupid thing like escaping when you get up there.”