Workshop to Strengthen our Laws
6-Feb-2010 03:23 PM

Government Media Liaison Officers and members of the mainstream media were present in a one-day workshop organized by the Ministry of Information yesterday.

Former High Court Judge and Facilitator of the workshop Nazhat Shameem elaborated on the Crimes Decree and some changes being implemented.

Example Short title and commencement, common law offences that cease to apply, savings of such laws, etc.

Fiji is a code country since the penal code was passed; the way in which crimes are described has not changed much Shameem said

“Every crime has a mental element and a physical element, physical element is the act and the mental element is the mind,” she added.

Corporate Criminal Responsibility or charging companies for an offence, this decree applies to individuals. It so applies with such modifications as are set out in this Part and with such other modifications as are made necessary by the fact that criminal liability is being imposed on bodies corporate rather than individuals.

A corporate body may be found guilty of an offence, including one punishable by imprisonment.

Treason and other offences against government authority, a person charged with the offence of treason and if at the time of the offence being a Fijian citizen or resident, the person causes the death of the President or the Prime Minister.

Penalty for this crime is life imprisonment.

In conclusion, Shameezm emphasized once again to the mainstream media that covering a trial in a magistrate’s court there are no restrictions.

“But if it is a murder or rape case you have to be careful, if you know the case will be transferred to the high court”.

“I know this stories have a high public interest in reporting, so on those things you
should ask the prosecuting counsel first,” she added.

By ALISI TUINAKELO