ADDRESS AT THE GRANT OF PRESIDENTIAL PARDON by RATU WILIAME MAIVALILI KATONIVERE
CF, MSD
President of the Republic of Fiji
State House Wednesday 20th December, 2023
SUVA 1000HRS
• The Acting Chief Justice Your Lordship Justice Salesi Temo;
• The Attorney-General and Chairperson of the Mercy Commission, Honourable Siromi
Turaga;
• Honourable Government Ministers;
• Permanent Secretaries;
• Members of the Mercy Commission;
• Acting Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service, Mrs. Salote Panapasa;
• Members of the Media;
• Today’s Pardonees and family members;
• Ladies and gentlemen.
Miau Sa Bula Re! and a very good morning to you all. I am indeed honoured this morning to officiate in this ceremony to Grant Presidential Pardon to twelve of our very own citizens.
A record and the highest number of pardonees since the first grant of pardon in the year 2000 in
our beloved nation and the second ceremony to be held this year alone.
I take this time to importantly acknowledge the wives, husbands, children, and family members of those being pardoned today. Your faith and prayers are now being finally rewarded; you get to witness today the official release of your wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, and family members after years of separation. We are four days away from the commemoration of the birth of Christ, our Saviour and redeemer and your presence hear is testament of the true meaning of the birth of Christ for us believers.
We celebrate the birth of Christ to signify the promise of his birth giving us love, hope, and joy. Notably, Christ’s birth is worth celebrating universally when there is so much chaos, devastation, and challenges in the world.
I believe this important ceremony this morning, will
bring renewed love, hope, and joy for families and a renewed vigor by the pardonees to remain in the right path and live harmoniously in society.
Ladies and gentlemen, the grant of Presidential pardon is made possible by the guidance and advice of the Mercy Commission, which exists by virtue of section 119 of the Constitution of
the Republic of Fiji.
I reiterate this morning that on the petition of any convicted person, the Commission may recommend that the President exercise a power of mercy by either granting a free or conditional pardon; postponing the carrying out of a punishment, whether for a specific or indeterminate period; or by remitting all or part of a punishment.
The process begins when there is an application of pardon made to the Chairperson of the Mercy Commission and there is a rigorous system of scrutiny made by several key stakeholders before the final deliberation of the Commission is further recommended to my office.
The Mercy Commission is a unique constitutional body that provides the platform for convicted citizens, giving them an opportunity of applying for a review of their sentence. It takes into consideration the number of years served, the circumstances of the applicant at the time of committing the offence and the recommendations in the reports.Most importantly, these pardonees have reapplied in previous years and have demonstrated positive transformation to the Commission.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have been well informed that the Commission had received fourteen applications and out of the fourteen, these twelve individuals present with us will be pardoned today.
These twelve pardoned applicants were given impressive recommendations as they all did well in their rehabilitation programs, remained in good behaviour during their incarceration and as such were all recommended for pardon by their Officers in Command from the Fiji Correction Services.
As your Head of State, my primary role remains to be the pillar of national unity and to carry out my duty keeping in mind the greater good of all the people of Fiji. The Grant of Pardon ceremony is a demonstration of acceptance from the society and all citizens of Fiji, as our Pardonees have served their time. We acknowledge the efforts of individuals who have served their time with the aim of reintegration.
This underscores our belief in the potential for rehabilitation and a second chance for those who demonstrate sincere efforts towards positive change.
We equally applaud and acknowledge the programmes carried out by the Fiji Corrections Services to up skill an incarcerated person so that they come out with skills that they will be able to utilise to assist them and their families’ livelihoods daily.
Ladies and gentlemen, I also take this time to acknowledge the Chairperson and AttorneyGeneral, Honourable Siromi Turaga and the esteemed members of the Mercy Commission, on your impartiality and dedication in ensuring that due process is fulfilled.
To the twelve Pardonees, on behalf of all citizens, I welcome you back into society with our collective hope and trust that you will treasure this moment and this act of forgiveness.
I urge you all to remember that today’s public Grant of Presidential Pardon shall be the catalyst for reconciliation, national progress, and healing.
To conclude, as we near Christmas, we are reminded that Christ emulates peace, forgiveness, healing, and unity.
The Pardonees and their families have suffered enough and shall continue to suffer in reality given that they will have to make up for time they have lost together with
their loved ones, their communities and their vanua.
In the true spirit of mercy to be compassionate towards those who are within our powers to punish, I with all citizens convey our message of forgiveness and acceptance to the Pardonees and congratulate your successful appeal for pardon.
With those few words, May God bless us all and May God Bless Fiji!
Those Granted Presidential Pardon were;
1. Alesi Nalave
2. Josefa Nata
3. Kaliova Rasaku
4. Kamlesh Kumar
5. Lole Vulaca
6. Nemani Valeniyasana
7. Pita Tokoniyaroi
8. Ratu Inoke Takiveikata
9. Rupeni Vosayaco
10. Samuela Rogoivalu
11. Timoci Silatolu
12. Vaione Tegu