Pitcairn Island: “Where Are We Going, Fletcher?” - University of ...

Pitcairn Island: “Where Are We Going, Fletcher?”PW2:PW3:MIRTA:PW2:PW3:MIRTA:PW2:PW3:MIRTA:We have to appeal for help in raising the funds needed to fight forour own and Pitcairn's survival. When it is understood that thereare less than forty Pitcairners living on the island, and that themonthly wages range from NZ$50 to NZ$350, it is clear that aproper fight in the Privy Council is only possible if friends ofPitcairn Island contribute generously to save a special and uniquecommunity.One of our highly qualified independent lawyers is working forfree, the other one at reduced rate, but there are still associatedcosts which will all but bankrupt us. The Privy Council in Londonin July will cost over NZ$100.000, - an astronomical sum for us,but the only way to try to get justice for the island. Essentialjustice and fairness have not been given to our men in theproceedings so far:No jury trial, the defendants were not judged by their own peers,but by New Zealand judges.The defendants were accused and convicted according to a BritishLaw that had never been promulgated on the island. The relevantPitcairn ordinance, the only one the islanders knew, was notapplied.The allegations from several Pitcairn women about policepromising compensation during interviews were not investigatedby the courts.There was no legal counsel available to Pitcairners until LegalAid appointment in May 2002, two years after the investigationsstarted and the Pitcairn prosecutor was appointed, thus giving lotsof time for media speculation and bias to grow.The Pitcairn justice and court system was created after allegationswere made and some were made even after the decision toprosecute and lay charges.If you want to see justice be done to all the Pitcairn men andwomen, please make a contribution to our cause.Thank you for helping us in this hour of great need and despair.We believe justice and fairness CAN prevail. However, it cannotdo so unless we continue to secure the services of our twoindependent counsels, who are dedicated to providing justice forall, making it possible to be represented at the highest possiblelevel in Privy Council.80