2022 Kiribati constitutional crisis

rdf:langString 2022 Kiribati constitutional crisis

rdf:langString *Failed deportation attempt of David Lambourne *Appointment of Attorney General Tetiro Semilota as Acting Chief Justice

rdf:langString Suspension of High Court Judge David Lamborne and Chief Justice Bill Hastings

rdf:langString — present

rdf:langString

rdf:langString • Bill Hastings

rdf:langString • David Lambourne

rdf:langString • Government of Kiribati

rdf:langString • Kiribati Court of Appeal

rdf:langString A constitutional crisis began in Kiribati when the Cabinet of Kiribati suspended two of its Court Justices. High Court Judge David Lambourne was suspended in May 2022 while Chief Justice Bill Hastings was suspended on 30 June 2022, both over allegations of misconduct. A court ruling overturned the suspension and subsequent deportation of Lambourne. In response, the government suspended all judges from the Kiribati Court of Appeal on 6 September 2022. The government's actions prompted condemnations from legal agencies and law councils from Australia, New Zealand and the Commonwealth while two former Presidents of Kiribati called it unconstitutional. The government reiterated that its actions were constitutional citing Section 93 (4) of the constitution which provides check and balance for the government to prevent the judiciary from becoming too powerful. A motion of no confidence was raised by the opposition in September 2022 but was blocked by the government. In October 2022, the government appointed Attorney General as Acting Chief Justice, the first I-Kiribati and woman to be appointed to the position replacing Bill Hastings. Her appointment caused further controversy, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers calling the appointment "concerning" and a conflict of interest. Nevertheless, the appointment was met with praise and congratulations from the President of Kiribati, the country's law society and also from its citizens.