Politics
New Zealand Could Host Pitcairn Sex Trials
But islanders want trials held at home
Allegations of sexual offending and widespread under-age sex among Pitcairn Island's 45 inhabitants could be tried in New Zealand's courts now that the Pitcairn Trials Bill has passed by the New Zealand Parliament.
For more than two years, Pitcairn Island, romanticised by the infamous Mutiny of the Bounty in 1790, has been the focus of international investigations of sex abuse with at least one eight-year-old the alleged victim of multiple rape.
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Introduced in October, the bill implements obligations between the governments of New Zealand and the United Kingdom allowing the Pitcairn trials to be held in New Zealand. The bill was passed on December 17.
A spokesman from the British High Commission in Wellington, Bryan Nicolson said the British Government is pleased and grateful with the passing of the bill which effectively allows the option of Pitcairn court hearings to be heard in New Zealand.
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The British High Commissioner to New Zealand is also the Governor of Pitcairn Island. Pitcairn is listed under the United Nations as a non-self governing territory.
New Zealand's foreign affairs minister, Phil Goff said New Zealand does not have any input into the decision over the charges to be laid or prosecuted, nor does it determine the trial process or provide any appeal. It simply provides the venue. The legislation preserves the independence of the Pitcairn courts.
"New Zealand will on request enforce a Pitcairn sentence of imprisonment or community-based sentence.
"However, a sentence would not be enforced in New Zealand unless the offender concerned consents," Goff said.
"All costs associated with the trials and any subsequent imprisonment will be borne by the United Kingdom government."
Pitcairn Island women started a letter-writing campaign several months ago calling for a pending sex crimes trial to be held on their remote Pacific island, not in New Zealand.
Island stalwart Betty Christian was reported to have called a meeting to which 14 of the island's 17 women decided to take their fight for an island trial to New Zealand politicians.
"Please give Pitcairners the right to face their problems like any country in their own homeland," fellow islander Nadine Christian was reported to have said in her letter.
"Is New Zealand trying to ignore the wishes of a people 3000 miles away (not even under the jurisdiction of New Zealand) and hold a trial for people England has ignored for 200 years?"
Allegations of sexual offending were made in 1999 leading to a worldwide police investigation of multiple allegations.
Pitcairn public prosecutor Simon Moore said he would be laying charges, but would not say who would be charged and with what crimes until a venue was decided.
He suggested a trial in New Zealand with satellite links to Pitcairn was most likely.
Pitcairn Islanders under investigation for sex crimes for two and half years are planning to challenge the case against them in court.
Goff said New Zealand's decision to provide the venue for the trials, if required, reflects the practical difficulties of holding trials on Pitcairn itself, and the disadvantages of holding such trials in the United Kingdom.
"Pitcairn presents major logistic difficulties as a venue for the trials because of its remoteness, geography and the nature of the facilities available.
"The island has a population of only 45. It has no harbour, no airport and no hotel. It relies on rain for freshwater supplies.
"The island could not sustain an influx of judges, lawyers, court staff and others who would be involved in the trials."
Goff said New Zealand is the logical alternative venue with the majority of Pitcairn Islanders living in the country.
The overwhelming majority of alleged victims live in New Zealand, along with a number of alleged offenders.
Now that the Pitcairn Island Trials Bill is now law, legal proceedings are expected to begin.
