The Republic of Nauru

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND BORDER CONTROL

MINISTRY OF HEALTH, JUSTICE AND SPORTS

Government Offices, Yaren District, REPUBLIC OF NAURU

The Office of the Director of Public of Prosecutions (ODDP) act on the community’s behalf to prosecute people charged with criminal offences in Nauru.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is an independent officer. The independence of the director, the public prosecutors and the office is very important to make sure that criminal prosecutions are free from any improper influence or interference.

A decision to prosecute or not must be based upon the evidence, the law and the director’s prosecution guidelines. It must never be influenced by:

· race, religion, sex, national origin or political views;

· the prosecutor’s personal feelings about the defendant or the victim;

· possible political advantage or disadvantage to the government or any political person or group;

· the possible effect of the decision on the personal or professional circumstances of those responsible for the prosecution.

A prosecutor’s duty is to act fairly and impartially to assist the court to arrive at a considered decision based on the admissible evidence, admissible facts and procedure before the court. A prosecutor’s duty is also to act ethically and with integrity, a prosecutor’s duty is to be fair and just to both victim and the defendant.

Assisting the director are the public prosecutors, seconded police, and clerks employed within the office.

Director’s prosecution guidelines.

A decision about whether to prosecute a criminal matter or not must be based upon the evidence, the law and the director’s written prosecution guidelines.

The written guidelines assists the decision making process to ensure criminal justice is:

· consistent;

· efficient;

· effective;

· open and fair

A copy of the directors prosecution guidelines can be viewed on the Nauru government website, a hard copy can be viewed at the ODPP.

Contact details for the Nauru ODPP

Phone: +674 4443133 Extension 327, 328 or 330

E-mail:- director.publicprosecutions@naurugov.nr

Updated as of 07/05/09