Sunday 26 November 2006 - joint release
The Solomon Islands Minister for Justice and Legal Affairs, Honourable Samuel Manetoali, said on Friday 24 November that the government will be able to better serve the needs of the people because of improvements to buildings used by the justice system.
Speaking at a ceremony on Friday 24 November to mark the start of renovation work at the historic Honiara building, Kalala House, and new buildings for the High Court, Mr Manetoali said that people in the justice sector need the right tools and buildings to deliver services to the community.
“Renovating Kalala House is one way of continuing to build on the achievements made so far which is to ensure that Solomon Islanders working in the justice sector can do their job effectively,” the Justice Minister said.
“It will greatly enhance our efforts to support the provision of judicial and legal services throughout the provinces.”
Mr Manetoali said that RAMSI would pay for the renovation and for further works at the High Court as part of its partnership with the Solomon Islands Government under the Law and Justice program.
“I ask RAMSI to continue to work in partnership with the government and people of Solomon Islands, to continue to maintain and sustain law and order.”
The Minister for Justice noted that Kalala House had accommodated many ministries and departments since Independence. The eastern extension to Kalala House was used in the past by Members of Parliament to elect the Prime Ministers of this country, when Parliament did not have a chamber of its own. Parliament would use what is now court room 1 at the High Court as their meeting chambers.
The Chief Justice of Solomon Islands, Sir Albert Palmer, and RAMSI Special Coordinator Tim George joined the Minister and guests from the justice sector to mark the occasion.
Welcoming the new RAMSI Special Coordinator to his first official function in Solomon Islands, the Chief Justice thanked RAMSI for its assistance.
Sir Albert said that the High Court had been transformed in recent years – with judges, registry staff, an expanded law library, funding for staff training, interpreting services and many other improvements.
“It’s timely to remind ourselves why all of this time, effort and money is being invested in the justice system. It is a means to an end which is the full restoration of the rule of law in our nation.
“The law lives in the work of the Courts. The law becomes most real or meaningful for the people in the public determination of cases by independent judges and magistrates. There, the rule of law is at its most visible,” Sir Albert said.
“We of all peoples understand how vital it is that the Law be seen, felt and heard in the community, for we have experienced the dreadful consequences of that not always being the case.”
The Chief Justice said the judiciary welcomed the building project as it would allow them to deal with more of the cases awaiting hearing and respond to the desire for swift justice and reduce delays in listing and hearing trials, thereby building confidence and security in the community.
RAMSI’s Special Coordinator said that the justice sector in Solomon Islands is respected for its strength and independence.
“We are working with the Solomon Islands Government to help make the system effective, fair and accessible to everyone,” Mr George said.
“The courtroom is a very important place in any justice system. This is where people tell their stories and get to the truth of other people’s stories.
“It’s the place where the public gets to see the justice system at work, and this in turn helps build confidence in the system.”
Mr George agreed with the Minister that people who work in the justice agencies and the court system need the right tools and proper buildings to deliver services to the community.
He said this is why RAMSI is funding the refurbishment of Kalala House, building a new courtroom, court offices and new sheriff and registry offices. He said RAMSI looks forward to working with the government on further infrastructure projects in the provinces.