CHIEF Justice Sir Albert Palmer has taken the opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the National Judiciary since taking the post some 20 years ago.
He made reflection at the opening of the 2024 Legal Year at the High Court yesterday.
Speaking at the ceremonial event to officiate the 2024 Legal Year, Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer said 2000 was the most difficult period in history of Solomon Islands since independence when it was confronted with lawlessness and a complete breakdown of law.
“It was a difficult journey that we all had to weather and go through.
“For the unfortunate ones who lost their lives, or loved ones, including their properties and possessions, it was traumatic and dark chapter in the history of our nation,” he added.
Sir Albert said the courts struggled to keep their doors open to provide whatever justice it could during the tumultuous time.
He said it was a difficult time as well for all public servants during that time with pays and salaries being delayed for up to a month.
But fortunately, Sir Albert said many did not take part in the revolt and criminal activities that plagued the nation during that time, apart from a few who decided to take advantage of the situation.
“It was difficult to maintain and enforce the rule of law and the administration of justice and the institutions responsible for carrying these were compromised or affected terribly.
“The police were not in control and the prisons had been busted and all prisoners, I guess in many ways for their own safety, had to be released and escape to any place of safety that they could relocate to.
“Trying to administer justice and the rule of law in such chaotic state of anarchy, fear and intimidation is never easy,” the Chief Justice added.
Sir Albert said some magistrates were threatened and I knew at least one was attacked at a road block.
“But by the grace of God, he would not have lived to tell his story, others had to escape to their home provinces for their safety and only returned when it was deemed safe to return, one or two years later.
“The trauma and scars caused however has taken many years to heal.”
The Chief Justice said the reason for his reflection was for the legal and judicial fraternities to not take for granted the advances and progress that have been made to date and that they do not take their liberties and freedom, peace and stability and security for granted.
“Let us be reminded that we have been brought to our knees as a nation, institution and as a people, when force and might was the order of the day and our people living in fear and trepidation during that tumultuous time.”
“But for the timely intervention by the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI, we would not have been able to pick ourselves up again to rebuild.”
Sir Albert said after 14 or so years of successful and fruitful intervention, RAMSI left the country so it could continue the legacy of rebuilding and strengthening its institutions of good governance.
He further added that, “in case we may have forgotten, we were given a second opportunity after the civil unrest in 2000 to rebuild our nation.”
He said the first opportunity was in 1987 but sadly, the country failed.
The Chief Justice also spoke about the November 2021 civil unrest where our people took to the streets in Honiara which resulted in destruction that is still being felt today.
He said the biggest losers in all these are ‘we, ourselves.’
“We destroy our own infrastructures and put the lives of our own people at risk and some investors have packed and left, while some are still struggling to pick up the pieces again.
“It is time we take ownership of our city and nation and being responsible and accountable for our actions and behaviors.”
Sir Albert highlighted that the biggest lesson to be learnt is that lawlessness and criminal behavior do not pay and that those who break the law will be dealt with and prosecuted.
“The law has a long arm and with a vibrant criminal justice having been restored, there is nowhere for law breakers to run away to and hide.
“Those convicted have been penalized and either fined or sent to prison.
“Our people must be encouraged not to take the law into their own hands but to seek lawful and civil ways to deal with any grievances that they have, including ensuring that come election time, they may cast their votes for the right leaders to take up the reigns of leadership in our nation.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara