Batley's lawyer refutes recommendation by SIG government lawyer

Lawyer Andrew Radclyffe who represented the former Special Coordinator of the intervention mission, RAMSI, James Batley, at the April 2006 Honiara riot Commission of Inquiry has submitted that his client be cleared of any breaches of duties and compensations which may have been recommended by the lawyer assisting the Commission.

In his final submission to the Commission on Wednesday, Mr Radclyffe said there is no basis for the suggestion that Mr Batley and the Commander of RAMSI police, Will Jamieson, were in breach of their duties under the treaty, Solomon Islands laws and international laws.

Mr Radclyffe said such recommendation would be a step beyond the Commission's terms of reference.

He said the responsibility for the riots rest solely with the instigators and perpetrators of the riots.

Mr Radclyffe said the evidence before the Commission has not shown any link between the riots and the presence of RAMSI in Solomon Islands.

He said the Commission had noted that the riots were related to domestic political motivation of different individuals and groups.

Mr Radclyffe said the riots could have gone out of hand had RAMSI not been in Solomon Islands assisting the local police.

He said that baseless findings of liability to pay compensation could have adverse effects of deterring states from coming to assist other states as in the case of RAMSI when it assists Solomon Islands.

The Commission of Inquiry is expected to produce its final report at the end of the month on the evidences it gathered during its tenure.

Source: SIBC