The International
Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins the Pacific Freedom Forum (PFF) in
welcoming progress in the brutal assault of Vanuatu
Daily Post publisher Marc Neil-Jones.
Vanuatu’s Government
Infrastructure and Public Utilities Minister, Harry Iauko, and eight others are
set to appear in the Port Vila Magistrate’s Court on June 10 facing charges
related to the assault on Neil-Jones by a group of men at the Daily Post offices on March 4.
During the assault Neil-Jones was hit on the head from
behind, kicked, and throttled by his attackers during the assault, leaving him shaken
and with visible injuries.
The charges relate to unlawful assembly, unlawful
entry, intentional assault and threatening gestures, according to reports. If
the criminal case against Iauko succeeds, the minister may also face charges
under Vanuatu's
Leadership Code Act which calls for national leaders to observe the law, and
follow fundamental principles of leadership contained in Article 66 of the
Constitution.
“Although there have been some delays, the IFJ is
encouraged to see progress in this case,” IFJ Asia-Pacific
Director Jacqueline Park said.
“Journalists in Vanuatu and across the Pacific must
know that the justice system will come to their aid if they are the victims of
attacks, so they can be confident to report the news without fear or favour.”
For further
information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific
on +61 2 9333 0919
The IFJ
represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries
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