SUVA High Court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar set a bench mark fir rape cases last week when he sentenced a father to life imprisonment for raping his biological daughters.
A first for Fiji, the High Court in Suva sentenced a 74-year-old father to life imprisonment for raping two of his biological daughters.
Life imprisonment is the maximum sentence that can be given to a rape offender in Fiji, setting the precedence for rape sentences in the country.
Fiji Times Online sought views and reactions different organisations on the milestone sentence.
Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre co-ordinator Shamima Ali said this was great news.
Ms Ali said a lot of people had been asking for life imprisonment and this bench mark sentence showed that the courts have begun treating rape very seriously and raised it to the realm of a serious and heinous crime.
She stressed that when the accused were inside prison there neededto be some meaningful treatment for them so they never think about raping someone again.
Medical Services Pacific executive director Jennifer Poole said they endorsed strong sentences for offenders of multiple instances of rape and abuse.
She added that they work to support access to justice for survivors and they are very pleased to see Fiji’s legal system working to apply significant and appropriate sentences for offenders.
She stressed that such sentences should be a deterrent but the courts cannot do this work alone.
Ms Poole said it was critically important to educate the population about human rights, law and respectful relationships.
