26 Apr 2010

New Zealand judge resumes Vanuatu duty after sudden departure

1:15 pm on 26 April 2010

The New Zealand judge who was forced to leave Vanuatu early this month has returned to work in Port Vila.

Justice Nevin Dawson and his family had faced intimidation after he wrote a Coroner's Report concerning the police.

In the report, Justice Dawson was strongly critical of the police, particularly the paramilitary unit, the Vanuatu Mobile Force, which he described as elitist, with officers placing themselves above the law.

Meanwhile, no action has yet been taken over the report, although the Minister of Internal Affairs has been promising a commission of inquiry will be set up.

Transparency International says a further inquiry isn't needed, rather the Government should immediately take action on Justice Dawson's recommendations.