Justice for Sheena is Justice for Bougainville

JUSTICE FOR SHEENA: UPDATE and CALL FOR INVESTIGATION INTO RAPE ALLEGATIONS

na ol kainkain pasin nogut

Firstly, thank you very much indeed to all of you who have shown us support in recent weeks by messaging us privately. You were wishing Sheena well in her trial that had been rescheduled for next week, on 2nd May.

Especially those of you in PNG, I fully understand why you do not consider it safe to post them publicly on my Facebook page.

My apologies for not replying to everyone individually. We do greatly appreciate all your support. Thank you.

The rescheduling of Sheena’s trial to 2 May was only after the trial being last-minute-cancelled previously, AFTER our lawyer had arrived in Buka, having flown in specially from Moresby.

Our lawyer had been told by the Buka court that the trial would proceed the next day, so he flew to Buka. Then, after being told the trial had been postponed until the following week at the earliest, he took the next available flight back to Moresby (two days later).

Then, after he had arrived back in Moresby, Sheena was summonsed to front up in court that day …. which of course meant without her lawyer.

From back in Port Moresby, our lawyer then ensured the trial was postponed. The date we were eventually given was 2 May.

We were just about to buy the airline ticket to Buka, yesterday, Friday, when we heard that the trial date had been postponed yet again. We have not been given a firm date.

RAPE: CHILD MOLESTATION

and SEXUAL HARRASSMENT OF POLICEWOMEN IN AROB

CALL FOR INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGATIONS AGAINST A VERY SENIOR AROB POLICE OFFICER

Last week, based on information I have received from what I believe is or are trustworthy source(s), I called for a full investigation into allegations that a very senior police officer has committed the following crimes:

1. Rape of a prisoner’s wife after allegedly demanding sex in return for him dropping charges against her husband. The woman refused and the rape allegedly occurred on disused Aropa Airfield.
2. Molestation of a schoolgirl who was taking food to her father in prison.
3. Sexual harassment of some junior policewomen

I have instructed our lawyer to serve my letter calling for a full and transparent investigation into the above allegations, with full respects, to the following officers:

1. Assistant registrar, Buka National Court,
2. AROB minister for police,
3. PNG national police commissioner,
4. AROB police deputy commissioner, and
5. the AROB police officer against whom the allegations have been made.

I did say in my letter that I had no intention of going public with this letter provided my daughter’s trial would proceed on time without further unnecessary delays. However, if there were further unnecessary delays, I would go public.

At this stage it is not clear to me whether the delays are “necessary” so I shall not, at this stage, name the officer concerned.

However, I do add that:

1. Formal statements have allegedly been made and allegedly submitted as police reports concerning the alleged crimes.
2. These reports have allegedly been “lost”.
3. The officer’s wife works in a key position in the AROB Police administration.
4. I have called for the immediate suspension of both officers whilst the investigation is underway.

I call on all Bougainvilleans not to allow your potentially wonderful region to descend into a Police State where there is RULE BY FEAR rather than a rule by law.

Tingim: “IN THE FACE OF EVIL, WHEN GOOD PEOPLE DO NOTHING, EVIL FLOURISHES”

Harim olgeta tambu blo mi, mi no giamen, olgeta toktok bilo me i stret. Strongim bun blo ol yupla na paitim displa pasin nogut … before it is too late.

May God Bless you.

Originally posted on Dave Cook’s Facebook page, April 27th 2024