pn599. Fiji: Police warned to properly inform suspects of right to remain silent

Nazhaat Shamee

m Khan

 Writing some years ago former Fiji Director of Public Prosecutions (1994-1999) and Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Fiji to the United Nations in Geneva, Nazhaat Shameem Khan, said New Zealander "Christopher Pryde is a decisive and thoughtful Director of Public Prosecutions who is determined to build the Office's capacity to prosecute all types of crimes effectively. 

 He personally keeps abreast with changes in the law, especially in relation to white collar crime, so that he can provide an informed leadership for his prosecutors. 

   His tongue in cheek sense of humour helps him to survive in a very challenging leadership position. "

Christopher Pryde

    Last week,  Pryde says it is of increasing concern that Fiji Police officers are failing to properly caution suspects on their right to silence upon arrest.

He says this basic right which is afforded to all suspects must be properly given and when it is not given properly, any statements made are likely to be ruled inadmissible by the court.

Pryde further says Police officers, like any other witnesses, must respect a court summon to appear and give evidence.

He adds Police officers who show a lack of respect for the court and its procedures by failing to attend not only let themselves down but let victims of crime down.

The DPP stresses there is no excuse for this behaviour.

Pryde says he asked the High Court to issue an arrest warrant to compel the attendance of a Police officer to appear before the court yesterday morning in a home invasion case from 2018 that resulted in serious injuries to the two male victims and one female victim who were attacked with a cane knife and pinch bar in their home.

Two other arrest warrants were sought for other witnesses that police had failed to produce in court.

The DPP said as a result of the failure of police officers to adequately caution the accused and as a result of the police officer’s failure to attend court, he had no option but to file a nolle prosequi and discontinue the matter.

In an unrelated matter, second discontinuation was filed in court this morning by the DPP for a street mugging of an elderly woman at the Suva Bus Stand in September after police lost critical evidence in the case and the Suva City Council deleted the CCTV footage.

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P.S.  Click here for Fiji report to UN Human Rights Council.