Day 1: Friday, 19 July 2024
On Friday, 19 July 2024, a legal awareness team under the Ministry of Justice, including the Public Solicitors Office, travelled from West Tanna to North Tanna to conduct a legal awareness program for the people of North West Tanna. The awareness program was scheduled for one week, from 17 July 2024 to 24 July 2024.
I, Mr. Regi Melsul Temankill, represented the Public Solicitors Office during this program, joining the team on 19 July 2024. Traveling by truck to North Tanna was risky, especially during rainy weather due to poor road conditions. Despite these challenges, Mr. Kapalu from the Correctional Service Office and I managed to travel safely.
Image 1.1. This photo shows how we travel the rough road down to North West Tanna.
Upon our arrival at the Laous community in North Tanna, people from nearby villages were already awaiting our arrival. We received a warm welcome from the community. Following the welcome ceremony, we engaged in sports activities with the community members as part of the outreach program. After these activities, we proceeded with our first session of legal awareness.
Image 1.2. The community welcome us on our arrival in North West Tanna.
Order of Legal Awareness: At the beginning of the program, Correctional Officer Mr. Sam Harrison Kapalu provided brief instructions on how the legal awareness would be conducted and introduced all team members. He outlined the order of presentations: the Police, Correctional Service, and the Public Solicitors Office.
After the Police and Correctional Service presentations, I had the opportunity to contribute to the awareness program. My presentation was divided into three categories:
- Function of the Public Solicitors Office: I provided a brief overview of the office's functions.
- Fundamental Duties of a Lawyer: I explained the essential duties and responsibilities of a lawyer.
- Prohibited Actions under the Penal Code Act and Family Protection Act: I discussed actions prohibited under these acts.
After our presentations, we invited questions and comments from the community members. We addressed their queries and provided clarifications.
Image 1.3. This picture captured during the awareness session at Laous Community in North West Tanna.
Before concluding the program, the community chief acknowledged all the presenters. He highlighted that criminal activities were occurring within their community, but they lacked the legal information needed to report such matters.
After the legal awareness program, I travelled back to Lenakel for the weekend.
Day 2: Monday, 22 July 2024
On Monday, 22 July 2024, I travelled back to North West Tanna to continue the legal awareness program. We spent time with the community members, although no formal legal awareness sessions were held that day. The organizing community informed me of their intention to create booths for the Public Solicitors Office on 23 July 2024 to provide more detailed information to the community members. I stayed in the community overnight.
Day 3: Tuesday, 23 July 2024
On Tuesday, 23 July 2024, I set up the booths and prepared to commence the legal awareness. I provided information about the Public Solicitors Office, and there were multiple questions from those who visited the booths. Many individuals came with actual cases seeking legal advice. Although I did not bring registration forms, I informed them they could visit the office anytime to complete registration and begin legal proceedings. This marked the end of the legal awareness provided to the people of North West Tanna.
Image 1.4. This picture captured at the Public Solicitors Booths at Laous Community in North West Tanna.
Day 4: Wednesday, 24 July 2024
On Wednesday, 24 July 2024, we celebrated Children's Day with the community, marking the end of the event. In the afternoon, I returned to Lenakel.
Community Attendance
It is important to note that the awareness program was centred within the Laous community, but a total of seven different communities gathered at Laous for this event. These included:
- Lowital community
- Ipron community
- Enalpat community
- Lewiar community
- Laous community
- Louno community
- Lamel community
This report summarizes the activities and outcomes of the legal awareness program conducted in North West Tanna from 17 to 24 July 2024. The engagement with the community was successful, providing essential legal information and fostering a stronger connection between the community and legal authorities.