Impunity Watch: Oceania

French Polynesian Budget Debate Delayed After Continuing Internal Disputes Threaten Majority; Samoan Police Officer Accused of Sexual Harassment; Solomon Islands’ PM is Served With Arrest Warrant for Drunk Driving

By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

PAPEETE, Tahiti -- French Polynesia’s ruling party, To Tatou Aia, has been unable to address the budget debate due to a continuing struggle to maintain its majority.

The budget meeting set for this morning was delayed after disputes arose among the To Tatou Aia’s members. Hiro Tefaarere was one such member who withdrew his vote for the ruling party and threatened to form his own party.

The wife of Aia Api leader, Emile Vernaudon, also withdrew her vote from To Tatou Aia when the government refused her husband a land deal. Mrs. Heifara Izal later gave her support creating a one-vote majority in the To Tatou Aia assembly.

Internal dissents have plagued the ruling party ever since French Polynesian elections took place four months ago. Members of the opposition have made numerous threats of employing a no confidence motion.

Radio New Zealand International reports that President Tong Song will, “do what he can, and if he cannot fulfill his mandate it won’t be his fault.”

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International -- Political instability in Tahiti delays budget debate -- 13 August 2008

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APIA, Samoa -- The Police Commissioner has launched an investigation and suspended a Samoan police constable after allegations surfaced accusing the officer of sexually offending a 19-year-old woman.

An organization known as the Samoa Victim Support group first reported the allegations two weeks ago. The woman reported the offense, and an investigation soon followed. The young woman is currently under the care of the support group.

Papalii Li’o, assistant police commissioner and spokesman, has said that the Ministry of Police will not tolerate such behavior especially among its police force.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International -- Samoan police constable suspended for alleged harassment -- 13 August 2008

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HONIARA, Solomon Islands -- The Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands is facing charges of driving under the influence of alcohol.  An arrest warrant was issued after Prime Minister Dr. Derek Sikua failed to appear at court.

The drunk driving incident occurred while Dr. Sikua was the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Education in 2006. The prosecution already completed its case in March, but the court is still waiting on the defense case. Private attorney, Charles Ashley, is representing Dr. Sikua.

Acting director of Police Prosecution, George Ofu, has said that Dr. Sikua’s hectic schedule is the reason for the defense case’s delay.

But Mr. Ofu has also warned that if Dr. Sikua fails to appear for his October 21st court date, the police will have to enforce the law. 

For more information, please see:
Solomon Star -- Prime Minister Faces Arrest Warrant In Drunk Driving Case -- 13 August 2008

Ousted Fiji Leader says that Proposed Charter Will 'Divide Fiji'; NGOs Concerned Over Proposed Greater Role of Military in Fij ; Draft of Fiji Charter Released

By Ryan L. Maness
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji -- Ousted Fijian Prime Minister Lasenia Qarase, long an outspoken critic of Fiji's interim government, has come out this week in opposition to the draft of the proposed People's Charter.  According to Qarase the draft, as written, will do more to divide the people of Fiji than it will do to unite them. 

He has particular concern about the role of Fiji's Constitution under the new proposed system.  He has said that charter is talking out of both sides its mouth with regard to the Constitution.  "While on one hand they say the supreme law of the land will be the constitution, they are saying that the electoral reforms will have to be in place before the election, and to do that you would need to change the constitution, so they are simply suggesting that the charter will be stronger."

Qarase has also expressed concern that the Charter to expand Fijian racial divides.  "For the indigenous population it would violate their rights to property (land reforms), as well as their rights to a separate Fijian administration," he said.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International -- Ousted Fiji PM says new charter fuels divisions -- 07 August 2008

Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited -- Political Parties reject Charter -- 09 August 2008

Fiji Daily Post -- PEOPLE'S CHARTER WILL 'DIVIDE FIJI' -- 08 August 2008

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SUVA, Fiji -- Among the items included in the draft of the proposed People's Charter is that Fiji's military play a greater role in the governance of Fiji.  NGOs have come out to say that the role of the military should not be expanded in Fiji. 

Angie Heffernan, executive director of the Pacific Center for Public Integrity,  said that there is no need to expand the military's role, because its role is already fully explained by the Constitution.  If anything, Heffernan said, the military should be downsized.  "Fiji has a military strength that is ridiculous for the size of Its population, and as long as we feed the monster that we have chosen not to take to task, Fiji will continue to be vulnerable to coups perpetuated with the help of the military," she said.

The Pacific Concerns Resource Centre has also condemned the suggestion, saying that the military's involvement in the last three coups demonstrate that the military should not be brought any closer to governance.  "We don’t agree with the recommendation that it should even be involved any further than what we are currently experiencing," Ema Tagicakibau, campaign director for the PCRC, said.  "If what we are going through is any indication of what future military involvement will be like then I think every law abiding citizen of this country must strongly condemn that call."

For more information, please see:
Fiji Times -- Reject military's expanded goal: NGO -- 07 August 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- PCRC opposes Fiji charter's role for military -- 06 August 2008

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SUVA, Fiji -- The National Council for Building a Better Fiji has released a draft of its much anticipated People's Charter on Wednesday.  The draft was released and will be distributed to the public for discussion and consultation.  It is hoped that the draft will be ready to be presented to the President of Fiji by October. 

According to council member, Josefa Serulagilagi, the aim of the Charter is to guarantee good governance and provide for social and economic development.  "What we would like to do is to really take out what is always called the coup culture in this country, and if we can, develop a kind of system whereby we move forward, and have solutions, so that we make sure that we don’t have that kind of attitudes in the minds of the people," Serulagilagi said.

Among the proposed changes in the Charter is to change to convert the Fiji electoral system to proportionate representation, to adopt "12 principles" to end the coup culture and to reduce poverty to negligible levels by 2015.

For more information, please see:
Fiji Daily Post News -- The People's Charter and the Way Forward - Summary -- 07 August 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji says it may need help to fund Charter consultation -- 06 August 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji council releases draft charter aimed at ending coup culture -- 06 August 2008

Aboriginal Land Returned; Pacific Women Offering Sex for Food; Poverty the Reason for Child Sex Trafficking in Indonesia

By Christopher Gehrke
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, South America

CANBERRA, Australia – Over thirty years of state government opposition to indigenous control of land was reversed today when the Australian government returned its largest remaining tract of rainforest to Cape York Aborigines.

Cape York, 695 square miles, has a human population of just 15,000.  According to Reuters, Aborigines have inhabited for 45,000 years.  They have higher rates of unemployment, substance abuse and domestic violence than other Australians.  Kevin Rudd, the Prime Minister, apologized to Aborigines in February for 200 years of injustices stemming from Britain’s colonization.

Aborigines have been making steady gains in reaching land agreements allowing them to use traditional lands for their own benefit.  Experts believe that the Cape York land handed over will yield ecotourism opportunities.

For more information, please see:

Reuters – Australian Aborigines get pristine forest back – 5 August 2008

ABC News – Qld Govt hands back national park to owners – 6 August 2008

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MEXICO CITY, Mexico – Delegates at a major AIDS conference in Mexico city cited cases of fisherwomen in the Pacific offering sex for food.  This is seen as another consequence of rising food prices, and is raising the rise of HIV infection, U.N. officials said Monday.

According to the U.N. overfishing of tuna in the Pacific has forced Papua New Guinea fisherwomen to join the crews of larger boats, where they engage in “fish for sex” deals.

For more information, please see:

ABC News – AIDS Threat:  Trading Sex for Food – 4 August 2008

Radio New Zealand – UN says HIV spreads by Pacific women selling sex for food – 5 August 2008

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JAKARTA, Indonesia – Human sex trafficking thrives in Indonesia due to extreme poverty, reports the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

“The root of the problem is poverty, but in some areas…prostitution is accepted.  It’s the culture,” explains the International Labor Organization’s Arum Ratnawati, describing people so poor they sell or send their children into commercial sex work to earn income for their families.

Over 4 million schoolchildren are unable to go to school in Indonesia, and 70,000 were trafficked for prostitution.  Most girls are tricked into prostitution by family members, relatives, or other people they trust who promise them jobs.  They are often forced to pay off the debt the trafficker paid their parents in brothels, between $55-$110.

For more information, please see:

IRIN – INDONESIA:  Poverty at root of commercial sex work – 24 July 2008

The New Nation – Don’t make women trade-item for tourism – 18 July 2008

Draft of Fiji People's Charter Close to Release; New Criticisms and Questions Surface for Fiji Police Practices; Fiji Electorla Committee Confirms Elections Delay

By Ryan L. Maness
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji -- The National Council for Building a Better Fiji has nearly completed its first draft of its National Charter and it will be disseminating it to the public next week.  Discussions are ongoing about the best way to distribute the document to the populace, the document will first have to be endorsed by the entire council (a process which should happen this week). 

Once the draft has been released to the public, a consultation phase will begin that will last until September, said Council member Filimoni Kau.  He added that any objections from the public will be taken into consideration.

While objections will be noted, council members were sure to point out that objections would not derail the process.  "However, the charter will still have to go ahead despite any objections," said Kau.  "It is clear that we want to move forward and whatever people say will not hurt us a bit."  Another member of the draft team, Adi Finau Tabakaucoro, also told Fijilive that the Charter process would proceed despite objections

The first draft of the document is scheduled for presentation to President Ratu Josefa Iloilo on 10 October, after consultations with the three provincial divisions are finished. 

For more information, please see:
Fiji Times -- Draft Charter to be ready in October -- 01 August 2008

Fijilive -- People's Charter draft ready for public -- 31 July 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji's council for Building a Better Fiji close to release of draft charter -- 31 July 2008
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SUVA, Fiji -- Human rights organizations have called for a reevaluation of police protocol this week, after an escaped prisoner was sent to the emergency room in critical condition after his recapture by Fiji Police.  Jo Baleiloa was admitted to Suva's War Memorial Hospital Thursday with several cuts on his head and with all of his fingers and both his legs broken; he was taken to surgery the same day, but he remains on life support. 

The Non-Governmental Organisations Coalition on Human Rights has decried the incident and has called for a detailed investigation.  “Authorities must urgently address this violence in the police force so that the Fiji public, particularly women who often face violence in their own homes, feel that police stations are safe place," Chair Virisila Buadromo said.  "These rights are protected by international law, and by our own Constitution. While we appreciate the role of police officers in our community, we absolutely abhor this alleged violent assault against Baleiloa."

Also raising her voice against police protocol is Anisa Naukila the mother of Tevita Malasebe, a rugby player who died as a result of a beating received while in police custody.  Naukila said that, "What they did to my son again happened to the boy. It’s the same injury that my son had. From head to toe. I’ve only seen it on TV but I want to go down to the hospital to see the boy. They haven’t learned. I just don’t know what’s wrong, what’s going on."

A police spokesman said that the police will be conducting an investigation and is taking the matter very seriously.  "The commissioner has not said to have an inquiry as yet. He has had a talk with our minister, the minister of defence, obviously there’s going to be an internal inquiry into the issue surrounding the arrest of Mr Baleiloa from police to our officers, but at the moment it hasn’t begun."

For more information, please see:
Solomon Star -- Further condemnation of Fiji Police Methods -- 01 August 2008

Fiji Times -- Pressure on authorities to probe Baleilo bashing -- 01 August 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji NGO calls for end to police brutality -- 31 July 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji police to probe arrest of escaped prisoner -- 31 July 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Further condemnation of Fiji police methods -- 31 July 2008

Fiji Daily Post -- Address violence, says human rights body -- 31 July 2008

Fiji Times -- Stop brutality: NGO -- 30 July 2008

Fiji Times -- Baleiloa still in critical state -- 30 July 2008

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SUVA, Fiji -- This week the Fiji Electoral Committee confirmed that Fiji will not hold democratic elections next march, as had been originally envisioned.  The Committee chairman Mohammed Kamal Ud Dean Sahu Khan told Radio Fiji that changes needed to be made to the electoral system before any election could be held and that such changes would take between 12 and 15 months.  While it is not known what changes will have to be made, the Committee suggested that new electoral boundaries might be needed.  "The Commission was putting great effort to ensure that elections are free, fair and transparent," Mr Khan said. "So basically the electoral commission is not concerned with the reforms that the government is putting in place but we are an independent commission and we would like to continue with our work so that the people know that the election commission is not sitting idle."

Fiji's interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama made similar comments about the necessity of delaying elections in earlier in July.

For more information, please see:
Fiji Times -- Poll will take time: Khan -- 25 July 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji Electoral Commission confirms poll delays -- 25 July 2008

UPDATE: Chaudhry's Future in Interim Government Uncertain; Winters Proposes Pacific Court ; Fiji Law Society President Wants New Leaders

By Ryan L. Maness
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji -- The Fiji military council is reported to be once again calling for the ouster of Fiji's interim finance minister Mahendra Chaudhry, but no official comment has been released by either the military or the interim government concerning the reasoning.  The speculation rose to the point where rumors were circulated among Fiji's political circles that Chaudhry had been sacked.  Interim prime minister Frank Bainimarama, however, was clear that the finance minister had not been asked to resign. 

Previously Chaudhry was under pressure to leave government due to allegations from the Fiji Times of inconsistencies in his taxes (an interim government investigation cleared him of any wrong doing).  The current tensions are reported to arise regarding differences of opinion regarding a proposed taxation on bottled water.

For more information, please see:

Fiji Times -- Military keeps cards close to chest -- 26 July 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Speculation in Fiji over Chaudhry's continued role as interim finance minister -- 24 July 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji interim PM says Chaudhry stays despite differences over tax -- 24 July 2008

 

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NADI, Fiji -- Addressing the Fiji Law Society, former Fiji High Court justice Gerard Winters said that the Pacific should consider creating a Pacific Court to offer legal analysis and hear certain cases.  He said that such a court, which could be based in Vanuatu, would serve as the paramount court for hearing cases arising out of Fiji.  Such a court, he explained, such a court is workable because of the close bonds that exist among Pacific nations. 

Professor Brian Opeskin, of the University of the South Pacific, thought that the idea should be encouraged.  "I think this is just another mechanism that can be considered in order to try and make the region a strong one that can ensure the rule of law across the region and to avoid problems of political instability and problems with law and order that we have seen arise from time to time across the region," he said.  "So the idea of strengthening judicial services including through the court is certainly a good one that needs to be explored."

Dr. Shaista Shameem, chairperson of the Fiji Human Rights Commission, is not as optimistic that the planned court is workable.  Noting that the idea is about 30 years old, she said that Pacific countries are too legally and socially diverse for such a court to function.  "It [would require] acceptance by member states and at present this seems somewhat remote since there is no common human rights or legal identity or mechanism that everyone can agree with, beyond just New Zealand and its dependencies in the Pacific." 

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International -- Academic backs call for Pacific Court -- 21 July 2008

Fiji Times -- Legal plan 'now new' -- 20 July 2008

Fijilive -- Pacific Court notion revisited -- 19 July 2008
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SUVA, Fiji -- Fiji's interim Prime Minister has said in recent weeks that the electoral and social reforms needed in Fiji are unlikely to be realized before next March's election deadline and as such democratic elections will probably not be held as promised.  These comments have sparked controversy from multiple corners, among them the president of the Fiji Law Society, Isireli Fa.  Fa told the Fiji Times that it was "misguided" that electoral reforms were needed before elections could take place.  He went on to stress that any proposed reforms must be imposed by Parliament, not the ruling party, or else any reform would be "illegitimate and [would] bring more problems than it solves." 

Fa also expressed his belief that the Fiji Law Society needs to ensure that the country is governed by the rule of law.  To this end, he wants to see a new cadre of leaders emerge from the next election.  Radio New Zealand International reports that according to Fa the current government is weighed down by the baggage of the colonial period.  He believes that the way forward is for both current groups to refrain from contesting the results of the next election.  "What we should see is new leaders from within the party who could carry the party forward into policies and thinking that’s in line with a multi-racial government and a multi-racial constitution, as opposed to leaders who still hang on to nationalistic principles."

Fa's comments have not been well received by the sitting political leaders.  The national leader of the deposed SDL party, Peceli Kinivuwai, said that the rules of citizenship are very clear in the Constitution and that anyone of voting age should be allowed to stand for elections.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji Law Society calls for new leaders to emerge -- 21 July 2008

Fijilive -- Anyone can stand for elections: SDL -- 20 July 2008

Fiji Times -- Law society pushes for rule of law -- 17 July 2008

French Minister Blames Political Process for French Polanisia Instability; Tonga Passes Legislation to Encourage Reforms; Outgoing Vanuatu MP Challenges Constitutionality of Electoral Law

By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

PAPEETE, Tahiti --  Despite political elections in March, a junior French oversea territories minister is attributing political instability in French Polynesia to the “quarrels and personal ambitions among local leaders” reports Radio New Zealand International.

Jego Yves, the junior French oversea territories minister, says that for the political system to change reforms must start with politicians in Papeete. According to Yves, the key politicians in the capital city are responsible for destabilizing the political system largely because they force local mayors into making deals.

In addition, Yves criticizes the electoral process because he feels the system is corrupt from within. If the two past two elections have not produced better results, says Yves, then new elections are not the answer.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International -- French minister blames Tahiti politics for instability -- 24 July 2008

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NUKU’ALOFA, TONGA -- Tonga’s Parliament has passed new legislation which seeks to promote greater reforms within the executive and legislature.

The new bill sets up a nine member Commission. Five of those members will be appointed by cabinet including one from the Nobles and People’s Representatives, and the remaining two from the Judicial Services Commission.

The Commission’s job will be to recommend reforms and changes to help facilitate the relationship between the executive and legislature. The Commission will have ten months in order to submit their recommendations to the Privy Council and Legislative Assembly. Among its appointed powers, the Commission can call a national Constitution Convention within seven months of appointment.

As a separation of powers measure, the bill has stipulated that a member of the Commission will not be allowed to serve in the Legislative Assembly or cabinet.

For more information, please see:
Pacific News - New Constitution bill in Tonga paves the way for political reforms - 24 July 2008

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PORT VILA, Vanuatu -- Outgoing Vanuatu member of Parliament and Chairman to the Melanesian Progressive Party, Barak Sope, is claiming that an electoral law gives certain politicians an unfair advantage.

Sobe is challenging the constitutionality of Peoples Representation Act No. 33 or 2007. The Act, Sobe says, allows people not within the constituencies of Port Vila and Luganville to vote in two municipal constituencies. 

In addition, Sobe claims the legislation allows chiefs and landowners to decide where people residing on their property can vote. Sobe has secured legal representation, and maintains that if his constitutional challenge is successful, a restraining order against the electoral office will ensue, effectively delaying elections until the matter is resolved.

The elections are scheduled for September 2, but may be delayed if Sobe’s constitutional challenge is successful.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International -- Vanuatu elections could be delayed by constitutional challenge -- 24 July 2008

Smith Says Way is Clear for Fiji Elections; Media Shocked at Creation of Media Tribunal; People's Charter Draft Ready End of July, Samy Says

By Ryan L. Maness
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Oceania

SYDNEY, Australia -- Fiji's Interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has been consistent in the past months in his view that social and political reforms were needed before any democratic elections can take place.  This view was directly challenged this week as the Pacific Island Forum concluded talks with Fiji's leaders and Stephen Smith, Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister, said that there is no justification for any delay in Fiji's people going to the polls next March. 

According to Smith, Bainimarama has gone back on the promise election promise that he made to the Pacific Island Forum last year.  With ample time and a stable environment, there is no reason to postpone elections, Smith said.  "There is nothing that we have seen or heard which would stand in the way of that occurring, provided that there is the political will. The political will in the first instance, primarily if not exclusively from the interim government, but also the political dialogue which ensues between the political players in Fiji which we both encourage and welcome."

For more information, please see:
Fiji Broadcasting Corporation Limited -- Smith criticized delay in Fiji elections -- 20 July 2008

Fiji Times -- No justification for poll postponement: Smith -- 20 July 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Forum ministers see no impediment to March elections in Fiji -- 16 July 2008

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SUVA, Fiji -- The interim government of Fiji's stance towards the media has sparked the ire of the country's Media Council and particularly its chairman, Daryl Tarte.  Tarte is concerned about the perceived differences between what the Council was told by interim Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and what the interim government has actually done.  Addressing the Council, the interim AG said that existing media lalws would be consolidated into one piece of overarching legislation, but a day later the interim government announced that it would create a tribunal to hear appeals on grievances lodged with the Media Council. 

The interim government defends its action, saying that there is nothing new in the consolidation of laws.  He also reiterated the government's previously stated stance that, "We do not want to control the media or the content of the media by licensing it."

Tarte, however, sees things differently.  He is upset by the fact that there are discrepencies between interim government's words and their actions.  "At the media council meeting on Wednesday, the interim attorney general was invited to talk to council members about the Government’s-media relationship, and he cateorically stated the government did not intend introducing any form of legislation. The very next day it is announced that government are going to impose legislation."  Fiji Times also reports that he has expressed his fear that, along with the hearing appeals, the tribunal would set codes of conduct and exact fines. 

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand News -- Fears Fiji tribunal will undermine media -- 19 July 2008

Fiji Daily Post News -- Media council wants their views heard -- 19 July 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji media council stunned by interim regime's regulation -- 18 July 2008

Fiji Times -- State move on media shocks council head -- 18 July 2008

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SUVA, Fiji -- The a draft of the interim government's much touted People's Charter should be finished by the end of the month, says the National Council for Building a Better Fiji.  The chairman of the Council, John Samy, said that the time line for getting the the Charter out was accelerated so as not to interfere with  possible elections next year.

Along with the Charter Samy announced that a State of the Nation report would also be released as well as an economic report. During the announcement, which was delivered to an applauding crowd of the NCBBF, he said, "Not all provincial councils are against the idea of the Charter, in fact below the provincial council, at village and grassroot level, the response we are getting is broad based support."

For more information, please see:
Fijilive -- Draft People's Charter to be out soon -- 15 July 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Draft Fiji People's Charter expected to be complete by end of this month -- 14 July 2008

UPDATE: Tonga’s People’s Rep is Cleared of Riot-Related Crimes; PNG Accused of Ignoring Government Minister’s Corruption Charges; UPDATE: Minister Urges PNG to Develop Plan for Refugees

By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga -- The number two people’s representative in Tonga, who was charged with crimes relating to the November 2006 riots, has been cleared of those charges.

Tonga’s April elections had been the first since 2006, when the pro-democracy movement turned violent, causing the death of eight and destroying Tonga’s capital city, Nuku’alofa. The riots erupted after the Legislative Assembly of Tonga adjourned for the year without employing promised reforms. Five of the six newly elected candidates faced criminal charges for their alleged involvement in the riots.

Isi Pulu was the first of the people’s representatives to stand trial for his alleged involvement in the riots.   

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International -- Tonga’s number two People’s Rep cleared on riot-related charges -- 14 July 2008

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PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea -- The PNG government is under pressure for allegedly ignoring reports that a government minister took 40 million US dollars from logging deals.

Since 2002, a Senior Minister in the PNG government, who remains unnamed, allegedly took 2.1 per cent of each log exported out of the country. The Post Courier, a PNG newspaper, reported that the money was kept in two Singapore accounts and managed by a consortium.

Bart Philemon, PNG’s deputy opposition leader, believes the government has chosen to ignore the issue:

“The government has been reluctant to deal directly with a lot of these issues. Like any other issues that have come up, it would appear that the government takes a non-active involvement in trying to find out whether there’s substance to some of these allegations or not.”

A public petition is currently circulating which calls on the Prime Minister to make inquiries into the corruption allegations. 

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand -- PNG govt under pressure to investigate corruption allegations -- 14 July 2008

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PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea -- A senior minister in Papua New Guinea (PNG) told Parliament last week that the country has no clear plan to deal with refugees currently squatting in the country.

Foreign affairs, Immigrations, and Trade minister, Sam Abal, has announced the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) is responsible for deciding whether refugees in PNG should be resettled. The question is whether the refugees prefer to remain in PNG or move to a third country.

Some refugees are uncertain as to whether, after 30 years of living in PNG, they have the same rights as Papua New Guineans, or whether they will only become permissive residents. Mr. Abel says that residents are subsequently confused about their status because of the government’s lack of a clear policy. 

Mr. Abel maintains that all refugees currently squatting in Port Moresby have the right to apply for citizenship.

For more information, please see:
The National/ PacNews -- No clear policy on West Papuans --Abal -- 14 July 2008

NZ Makes Exception to Fiji Travel Ban for Medical Emergency; Fiji Women Request Place at Political Forum; Organization UPDATE: Fiji Police Maintains They Do Not Need Help

By Ryan L. Maness
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Oceania

WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- After declaring that it would maintain its travel ban against all members of Fiji's interim government and their families, the government of New Zealand has granted an exception for the daughters of a Fiji naval officer so that they can visit their seriously ill brother.  Osea Namatalevu, son of Keveli Namatalevu of the Fiji Navy, is a New Zealand based rugby player who is studying in New Zealand and how is in urgent need of a bone marrow transplant to treat his Hodgkins Lymphoma.

Originally the government of New Zealand intended to hold firm to its commitment to its travel ban, despite the pleas of interim government to grant an exception.  Osea's mother, Makarita Namatalevu, was dismayed at the New Zealand government's position and worried that the delay in granting the visas could have an adverse effect on her son's health.   

The cost of Osea's treatment is expected to reach upwards of $50,000, but Fiji's interim government has announced that it will hold a fund raiser to assist the Namatalevu family with the costs. 

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International -- New Zealand Government makes exception to Fiji travel ban -- 11 July 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- NZ upholds travel an despite Fiji plea for for help in medical case -- 11 July 2008

Fiji Village -- Grant Visas Please -- 11 July 2008

 

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SUVA, Fiji -- The Fiji Women's Crisis Centre and the Fiji Women's Rights Movement have written letters to the Commonwealth Secretariat Special Envoy to Fiji calling for the final terms of reference for women to have a seat at the proposed political forum.  The letter was delivered to Sir Paul Reeves while he was in Fiji last week. 

Virisila Buadromo, executive director of FWRM, has said that it is essential for women to play a role in peace negotiations and post conflict reconstruction in this time when Fiji is transitioning back to Parliamentary democracy.  She also said that, to date, she has been disappointed that she has not yet received a response to the letter.  "We were quite disappointed that despite us sending a letter last week while he was here, asking if he could include us in his meetings, while he was hear trying to formulate the terms of reference, we didn’t get any response from it at all. We think we should be part of the designing of that terms of reference as well as being part of that political forum."

The forum is expected to convene next month.

For more information, please see:
Fiji Times -- Include us, women say -- 10 July 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji women's organization wants a voice in forum -- 09 July 2008

Fiji Times -- Women's organization writes to Sir Paul -- 09 July 2008

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SUVA, Fiji --  As the investigation into the death threats made against Australian High Commissioner to Fiji James Batley continue, a spokesman for the Fiji Police has said that assistance from other countries may be necessary.  While this marks a change in course from previous statements that have come from his office, Mua has maintained that they "have enough manpower to continue with our investigation and providing security at the High Commission."  Specifically Mua said that the police department did not the aid that Australia and New Zealand had offered.  "There are other countries where we can get the help from apart from these two countries, the ministry will look into these areas." 

The assistance that Mua has indicated his office may need is more technical.  He revealed this week that officers could not lift finger prints from two of the death threats that had been received (the other death threat was received via email). 

While Mua has not wavered on his refusal to allow foreign officers into the investigation, his tone has changed in that last week with regard to the progress of the investigation.  Earlier the Fiji Police had announced that they had strong leads about who was responsible for the death threats, but now that optimism has dwindled. 

For more information, please see:

Fiji Daily Post -- 'No Need' -- 10 July 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Fiji Police say they may need overseas help to solve threats against diplomat -- 08 July 2008

 

Radio New Zealand International -- Australia prepared to offer assistance to Fiji police -- 07 July 2008

Fiji Times -- Overseas help for threat case: Police --  07 July 2008

UN Denies PNG Refugee Requests for Resettlement; Nauru’s Influential Former President Dies; Two Plead Guilty to Human Trafficking in Mariana Islands

By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea -- Despite requests for resettlement, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has announced that there is no rush to remove the roughly 100 Papuan refugees currently squatting in Papua New Guinea’s capital. 

The refugees have accused the UNHCR of neglecting the group’s needs. The UNHCR, meanwhile, has explained that Papua New Guinea has a plan for the refugees to remain in the country.

Within the last 9 months, the group has moved from different locations throughout Port Moresby. Currently the 100 are squatting in a Boroko public park. Richard Towle, a regional representative for UNHCR, explains that, similar to the 10,000 Papuan refugees currently residing in PNG, this relatively small group has little to complain about:

    “But they have refugee status, they are safe. there’s absolutely no suggestion of forced return to Indonesia. We’re satisfied that the basic principles of international protection are being fully met here. Certainly there’s a sympathy that we have for a small group of people that can’t find a place to live. I think there are some solutions that need to be explored. We’re happy to work with government and with this group to try and find them in PNG.”

Meanwhile, local NGO activist,  Richard Brunton, has painted a different picture. According to Brunton, the elderly and children refugees are suffering the most due to poor living conditions among the camps: 

    “[F]or the past three or four days, real problems with sanitation and water. I’ve not seen one visit by UNHCR, Provincial Affairs, Foreign Affairs, even the Governor of the city, nobody’s been down here to check out their conditions or hear the concerns about their safety and not having a place to stay.”

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International -- Papuan refugees in PNG don’t need resettlement, says UNHCR -- 06 July 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Concern voiced for welfare of Papuan refugees in Port Moresby -- 04 July 2008

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YAREN, Nauru -- Controversial former President of Nauru, Rene Harris, has passed away at the age of 61. A state funeral was held shortly after his death.

President Harris had been an influential member of Nauru’s Parliament, having served for 31 years. He had also served as president for a total of 4 years between 1999 and 2004.

In particular, Mr. Harris was known for supporting the controversial “Pacific Solution.” As part of this “solution,” the Australian government had introduced a detainment center which soon employed roughly ten per cent of Nauru’s population. The program was aimed at keeping asylum seekers off Australian turf by detaining 1,637 refugees on nearby Nauru and Manus islands. The policy garnered global attention in 2001 when Aghan refugees were offloaded on Nauru, and in 2004, when several detainees went on a hunger strike and sewed their mouths shut to protest their incarceration.

Despite the Pacific Solution’s widespread criticism, Foreign Minister and member of Mr. Harris’s opposing party, Kieren Keke, remembered the former President as an influential and tough politician.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International -- Former President of Nauru Rene Harris dies -- 06 July 2008

Radio New Zealand International -- Nauru’s former President remembered as strong willed but amicable person -- 07 July 2008

Sydney Morning Herald -- Nauru 'Pacific Solution' president dead -- 06 July 2008

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SAIPAN, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands -- A Guam man pled guilty to allegations that he was involved in the trafficking of women from Chuuk, Micronesia from April 2006 to January 14, 2008. The man is one of two men recently charged with criminal conspiracy related to human trafficking.

In total, nine women from Chuuk were brought to Guam to work at a place called the Blue House bar. In their pleas, Saknin Weira and Freuda Eseun admitted to recruiting, enticing, transporting, and getting women to perform sex acts for money, the Marianas Variety reported. In addition, the owner’s of Blue House bar, Song Ja Cha and Han Cha, will be charged with conspiracy, sex trafficking, coercion, and enticement to travel for the purpose of prostitution. 

Weria and Eseun plead guilty to Chief Judge Francis Tydingco-Gatewood, from a U.S. District Court of Guam. The Marianas Variety had reported that one of the men who pled guilty is mentally challenged.

For more information, please see:
Marianas Variety -- Second Bar Worker Pleads Guilty In Human Trafficking Case -- 07 July 2008