CHIEF Justice Sir Albert Palmer says he was amazed at the wealth of knowledge and wisdom of experience, skills and expertise from participants of the family violence and Youth Justice Workshop, which ended yesterday.
He thanked participants for their frank, open and honest comments.
“Take notes of suggestions for improvements and suggestions and changes you have made,” he told participants.
“I hope this workshop gives so much ideas, thoughts or suggestions if not to challenge you to do more or do something to address domestic violence and youth justice issues in our homes, families and in our community.
“We will do our best to include them in our activities and work plans,” the chief justice said.
He added that he heard expressions, views, comments, differences and criticisms by individual members of the judiciary during the workshop.
“Judges and magistrates are very frank and open and made personal comments.
“I would encourage you to put those comments into perspective as suggestions to improve the criminal justice system in the country.”
Sir Albert said although they have made those personal comments they have spoken from their hearts in their commitment, zeal and concern for the criminal justice system to be improved.
The chief justice said it is notable during the workshop the amount of work that has been done and achieved so far.
“We all recognise that there is so much more to be done.”
He hoped everyone take something back with them of the passion and commitment that the judges, members of the judiciary have for this country that the answer lies with you, with us and with our country.
“We need to work hard and be committed.
“It always comes back to us individuals, our minds needs to be renewed.”
Sir Albert said for those who believe in the word of God our minds needs to be renewed with the word of God.
“You need to be renewed with the laws and legislations with the good things that we have.
“Our hearts need to be transformed,” he told participants.
He said there’s a lot that we have come through.
“A lot of problems and issues related to family violence issues come back to family unit.
“Family unit in Solomon Islands needs to be strengthened, to be rebuilt, and to be restored.
“Husbands need to appreciate and understand their roles and responsibility towards their wife and their home.
“The wife too needs to understand and appreciate their role to their husband.”
He noted the roles of various government agencies and government institution that this needs to be strengthened.
The Chief Justice thanked everyone who has attended the workshop and especially the New Zealand government for their support.
New Zealand High Commissioner Marion Crawshaw thanked participants for their time at the four day workshop, debating and looking at how Solomon Islands can address the two important issues of family violence and youth justice.
“Without time and effort put this week, it would be difficult to achieve something in these areas,” Mrs Crawshaw said.
She said workshops are great that you can decide what to do and talk among yourselves, provide support to each other in deterring directions you want to go, and at the end of the day the results come from implementations,.
“So what I would encourage on the next step from the workshop is for each of you just how you implement the nature of agreement that you come to in this Accord.
“For implementations to be effective it needs be in a practical level.
“I think it has been terrific process, particularly in looking at addressing violence.
“It still has a long way to and its people like you who move on and make things happen,” she said.
The programme was hosted by the Pacific Judicial Development Programme for the first time here.
It was funded by the New Zealand government and run by the Federal Court of Australia.
Participants of the workshop came from the judiciary, government agencies and departments, as well as non-government organisations.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
