Christopher Pryde, the suspended Director of Public Prosecutions, has announced that he will not resign or attend the tribunal hearing scheduled for December 2. He claims that his suspension, particularly the withholding of his salary, has prevented him from securing legal representation.
In his statement, Mr. Pryde referenced a letter from the tribunal dated November 21, where the need for fairness and justice was emphasized. He questioned how a hearing could be fair if he has been stripped of the resources necessary for a proper defense. He argued that continuing the hearing under these conditions violates the principles set forth by the President regarding fairness and could contravene international labor conventions to which Fiji is a signatory.
Mr. Pryde expressed his discontent with the actions of Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo and the Judicial Services Commission (JSC), which he believes have undermined the tribunal proceedings. He pointed out that Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has publicly supported his call for the reinstatement of his salary, suggesting that an objective observer would agree with his stance.
Despite the challenges he faces, Mr. Pryde vowed not to be intimidated into resigning and made it clear that he would participate in the tribunal proceedings only if his salary and entitlements were restored, allowing him to adequately defend himself. He emphasized the principle that everyone has the right to a fair defense, and described the situation as a clear breach of natural justice.
The chairperson of the JSC, Mr. Temo, recently confirmed that the tribunal proceedings would begin in December but declined to provide further comments due to the ongoing nature of the case.
This situation highlights essential issues regarding legal rights and protections within judicial processes. Mr. Pryde’s insistence on fair treatment could pave the way for more robust discussions on procedural justice and legal representation in similar cases in the future. Engaging in such dialogue may ultimately bolster the integrity of judicial systems and reinforce the commitment to fair and just proceedings.
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