Why is human life so worthless to Judges in New Zealand?

The Sensible Sentencing Trust is today expressing disgust at multiple justice system failures in relation to a baby bashed to death by his own father.

National spokesperson Louise Parsons today said: “Baby Mustafa Ali was just 10 months old and entirely defenceless at the hands of his violent father.  He should have been able to rely on his father for unconditional love and protection.  Instead, Mustafa was brutally bashed to death by him.”

Mukzameel Ali jailed for six years for killing infant son, Mustafa, in Te Kuiti | RNZ News

“But the injustice continues well after Mustafa’s death.  His killer was sentenced to a disgusting, soft sentence of just 6 years imprisonment.  This means his killer will be eligible for parole after just 2 years.  Taking time already served in custody into account, he could be eligible for parole in just a matter of weeks.” continued Parsons.

”The Sentencing Act 2002 even has a section, 9A, that requires judges to give special consideration to offending against children.  The Judge referred to prior case law in saying: “s 9A reflects the community’s deep concern about child abuse and how violent offending against children must be treated with the utmost seriousness.“

“The Judge then goes on to impose a sentence of just 6 years after applying excessive discounts for ‘good character’ and ‘remorse’.  It makes no sense and is out of step with community concerns about such vile offending against children.  The words used by the Judge talk about the seriousness of the offending, but the sentence then imposed simply doesn’t reconcile with what was just said by the same Judge.” continued Parsons.

”In addition, the Crown has grossly failed in their duty to prosecute Mustafa’s killer through a trial on the original murder charge - which could easily have been proven.  In that case, he would be serving a life sentence with a minimum non-parole period of at least 10 years - likely more.  The Crown appears to have taken the easy option of a guilty plea to a reduced manslaughter charge.  There’s no justice in that for wee Mustafa.” continued Parsons.

“Sensible Sentencing Trust will today write to Crown Law requesting they appeal this appallingly low sentence.  Mustafa’s life was worth so much more than just 6 paltry years in prison - at worst.” continued Parsons.

“Sensible Sentencing Trust expresses continued frustration at the appallingly low sentences imposed in New Zealand for homicide - both murder and manslaughter.  We can and must do better to reflect the sanctity of life in sentencing.” concluded Ms Parsons.