8 freed from long jail terms for traffic offenses

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Posted on Nov 14 2000
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Suva (Fiji’s Daily Post/PINA Nius Online) – Eight men who would have spent more than 10 years in jail for minor traffic offenses have walked free after a series of landmark decisions by the High Court in Suva.

The Fiji Human Rights Commission and the Legal Aid Commission jointly initiated investigations questioning the validity of a 12-year prison sentence of 42-year-old Eroni Delai, a minibus driver who had accumulated fines totaling more than $5000. The situation was first bought to the attention of the two authorities by a person who had visited prison.

The commission will recommend to government about carrying out necessary legislative changes to avoid similar problems arising in the future. It has also facilitated a conference involving the Commissioners of Police and Prisons and the Chief Magistrate to explore ways in which traffic offenders can be sentenced to do useful community work rather than be imprisoned for non payment of fines.

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