Dear Editor – The hysterical reply by Mr Talasasa to my comments made at a Family Violence workshop has disappointed many people in Solomon Islands.
It is disappointing that the chief prosecutor of the country reverts to threatening a Justice of the High Court for explaining the experiences he has had in his court.
But that is not why I make this reply.
It is disappointing that he scratches around to try to find a motive that he can attribute to me and is reduced to guessing that I am in a “battle to eliminate him”, that I seek to “take revenge” on him. What a pathetic response.
But that is not why I make this reply.
It is disappointing that he describes seeking to improve the functioning of the criminal justice system in this country as “engaging in politics”.
But that is not why I make this reply.
What is most disappointing for the community is that he seems to be of the view that my comments on how our legal system works and how it can be improved upon are not “appropriate or relevant matters” for a judge working within that system to comment upon.
But that is not why I make this reply.
Indeed I would not bother to respond at all except for one matter. In his desperate and agitated reply Mr Talasasa reverts to the racist slur.
He says that this is his country’s “institutional mechanisms” and insinuates that no foreigner has any business “dictating to the Constitutional establishment”.
To suggest that I am racist in any sense is defamatory and will be acted upon. That is why I make this reply.
The sooner Mr Talasasa understands that he is not “the Constitutional establishment” but works in service of it, the better.
In the meantime he would do well to reflect on the words of this newspaper’s editorial – “Perhaps it’s time Mr Talasasa reconsiders his involvement in sports and directs focus on his job.”
Despite the disappointing aspects of Mr Talasasa’s reply, one matter has emerged from it which is positive. When these matters come to court I look forward to setting out in detail what, up to now, has only been heard by those present in my court.
The public of Solomon Islands will then get to see how the criminal justice system has been operated by those in positions of responsibility.
One would hope that he and I are of the same view that we have a special responsibility to ensure that the money of the people of Solomon Islands which is spent on a very expensive legal system, operates efficiently, productively and with a minimum of delay. After all, that is what we are both being paid to do.
Justice Stephen Pallaras QC
Puisne Judge of the High Court and Court of Appeal
Honiara
