The Mercy Commission held a meeting on September 18, 2024, to review mercy petitions from several individuals, including Sekina Vosavakatini, Nioni Tagici, James Sanjesh Goundar, Adi Livini Radininausori, John Miller, George Speight, and Shane Stevens. Following their discussions, the Commission recommended granting mercy, and the President of Fiji subsequently issued pardons to all the petitioners on the same day.
As a result, these individuals were officially released from custody on September 19, 2024. Unfortunately, James Sanjesh Goundar, who passed away on September 6 at the Minimum Corrections Center, did not benefit from the pardon in time.
The Fiji Correction Service and the government reaffirm their commitment to justice, rehabilitation, and the rule of law, emphasizing the important role of the Mercy Commission in considering clemency petitions with careful attention to each case’s circumstances.