1 Jul 2011

Light sentence on Vanuatu cabinet minister for assault slammed

6:14 pm on 1 July 2011

The secretary-general of Vanuatu's NGO network, VANGO, says the sentence handed to a government minister for his role in the assault of a newspaper publisher is unfair.

The Minister of Public Utilities and Infrastructure, Harry Iauko, has been fined US$150 for aiding and abetting damage to property as well as the assault of Marc Neil-Jones in March at the Daily Post office in Port Vila.

VANGO's secretary-general Viviane Obed says the Minister has not been held accountable for his actions which were not fitting for a leader.

"They have to be responsible of what actions they take and it doesn't show that the minister himself has displayed a good leadership role, in not getting - how do I say, I don't want to say the word punished - but he should be taking care of his responsibility and whatever weight that is given to him, it's supposed to be fair and just."

Viviane Obed of VANGO