By Cindy Trinh
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

PORT VILA, Vanuatu – The Vanuatu government promises that it will take action following the serious allegations made against the police paramilitary unit, the Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF).

Vanuatu Coroner, Justice Nevil Dawson, criticized the VMF in a report into the death of a prisoner that was in custody of the VMF. Dawson stated that the VMF had an “unacceptable culture of violence, regarded itself above the law, [and] frequently resorted to intimidation of opponents.” Dawson urged the government to “rein the policy agency in.”

Dr. Andrew Ladley, a professor at Wellington’s Victoria University and who has been closely involved in constitutional and electoral matters in the Pacific, says that Vanuatu could face a major crisis if an investigation into the VMF is not tackled properly.

Ladley says that without a properly run investigation, the VMF will act with no account for the consequences of their actions and the situation will only get worse. He urges for politicians to contemplate taking action and be aware of the VMF’s ability to intimidate.

Ladley stated: “I would imagine, including from reading [Dawson’s] report, that it’s perfectly plain that that kind of pre-emptive intimidation will be very high on the minds of the people most likely to be called to account. Which is why the situation is so dangerous. This is potentially a very big crisis looming for Vanuatu, if it isn’t tackled properly.”

The Vanuatu government is yet to make an official comment, but the Deputy Prime Minister, Sato Kilman, says that the Vanutu government intends to outline their response.

Kilman stated in response to Dawson’s report: “Suffice to say that it is an important finding. It definitely has got some serious allegations in there, which the Government’s intention is to ensure it addresses the issue.”

Transparency International says that the Government has to go much further in its initial comments on Dawson’s report.

Marie-Noelle Ferrieux-Patterson from Transparency International says that “accepting change is necessary and is a good first step, but [the government] needs to go much further.

She stated: “What is very regrettable is that there hasn’t been yet a strong position by the government, saying that we will ensure that those accused of murder are prosecuted, that the people who actually threaten the judge will be prosecuted.”

However, despite many suggestions for the government to take action against the VMF, the Vanuatu Government has partly defended the activities of the VMF.

Don Wiseman, a news reporter in Vanuatu, reported: “[The government] will review internal security practices and the need to harmonize that with human rights particularly when people are being detained and the right to innocence until proven guilty. But the government says circumstances at the time, that is, following a mass prison escape, required the law enforcement agencies to take urgent steps to recapture the detainees. The government is promising to improve interrogation procedures and better training for police staff. It will also implement legislation that clearly prescribes the functions of the VMF and its role in the country’s internal security. And it is reassuring citizens, visitors, and investors that law enforcement must equate with the right to protection under the law.”

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International – Vanuatu government defends VMF activities in face of criticism – 31 March 2010

Radio New Zealand International – Vanuatu govt urged to go further on coroner’s VMF recommendations – 31 March 2010

Radio New Zealand International – Vanuatu government promises action over coroner report into VMF – 29 March 2010

Pacific News – VMF actions could spark Vanuatu crisis, warns academic – 18 March 2010

Islands Business – VMF actions could spark Vanuatu crisis, warns academic – 17 March 2010

By Eileen Gould
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

TARAWA, Kiribati – With rising sea levels in the South Pacific, the tiny nation of Kiribati may be forced to evacuate to neighboring countries, such as Taiwan.

The President of Taiwan visited Kiribati last week to meet with President Anote Tong and pledged his nation’s assistance should sea levels continue to rise.  Mr. Ma Ying-jeou, who is concerned about the impacts of climate change, is touring nations in the Pacific with which it maintains diplomatic relations – Kiribati, Tuvalu, Nauru, the Marshall Islands, Palau, and the Solomon Islands.

Climate change is a central focus of President Ma’s tour.  In Kiribati and Tuvalu, climate change, according to some scientists, could cause islands, such as Kiribati and Tuvalu, to be completely submerged, thus posing a life-threatening situation.

In his meeting with Kiribati’s president, Mr. Ma said that Taiwan would “help seek possible solutions to the global warming that is causing rising sea levels that could eventually submerge Kiribati.”

The issue of climate refugees has been a big issue recently, particularly as a result of the destruction and deaths of many following several natural disasters.   Last August, a typhoon which ripped through parts of southern Taiwan raised concerns about climate refugees.

A documentary, called “Plus or Minus Two Degrees Celsius”, was produced in Taiwan and called attention to this new phenomenon.  The film predicts that if the environmental situation worsens, the people of Taiwan will be among the first to migrate as a result.

The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) states that ten percent of the global population may be subjected to displacement as a result of climate change.

Many people living in Kiribati and other South Pacific Islands have ancestors who emigrated from Taiwan, thousands of years ago.  President Tong of Kiribati said that these people “would probably return to Taiwan someday”.

Should their worst fears be realized, Kiribati’s government has a plan to relocate its entire population of 100,000 to other lands or an island under the control of other countries. It has also tried to lobby other countries for support in fighting climate change.

Some suggest that Taiwan help by allowing workers from Kiribati to enter the country.  If the Kiribati government agrees to provide low-interest loans to Kiribati workers who wish to relocate to Taiwan, the proposed relocation plan will likely be implemented.

On the other hand, Tuvalu shares climate change concerns but is not as willing to implement a national relocation plan, because it may cause its people to panic.

Nations, such as Australia and New Zealand, currently allow immigrants from Kiribati.  New Zealand’s immigration policy provides that a limited number of people from Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Kiribati may enter New Zealand to obtain residency.

For more information please see:
Focus Taiwan – Climate refugees an issue for Taiwan – 25 March 2010

Radio New Zealand International – Tuvalu says Taiwan shares its climate change concerns – 24 March 2010

New York Times – Taiwan: Help for a Tiny Nation Facing Rising Waters – 23 March 2010

By Cindy Trinh
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

THE PACIFIC – A representative from the United Nations Development Programme, Knut Ostby, says that a more-open-minded approach to electoral systems will help Pacific countries get more women into parliament.

Women members average only 3.5% across the Pacific region. Four countries have no women politicians at all.

Compared with the global average of women parliamentarians, which is 18.5%, this small number of women politicians in the Pacific region shows the underrepresentation of women in the governments of the Pacific countries.

According to the UNDP, countries of the Pacific region have the lowest levels of women’s representation in parliaments. The Inter-Parliamentary Union has reported that Pacific women’s contribution as citizens and leaders is significant but it has generally remained informal and is not sufficiently recognized in mainstream political processes and power sharing with men, especially in national decision-making institutions.

While electoral systems such as New Zealand’s MMP system, which gave women the right to vote and has resulted in two female Prime Ministers, has proven to be successful in representing women in the Pacific region, other parts of the Pacific have much more difficulty introducing measures. These countries, for example the Solomon Islands, have institutional, financial, cultural, and development barriers which cause these Pacific parliaments to remain notoriously underrepresented by women.

On March 2, 2010, these issues were raised in a Pacific panel event at the UN Commission of the Status of Women.

At the panel, Minister Fiame Mata’afa for the Community and Social Development, stated that: “There are quite a few things that the Pacific is famous for, but one thing that we are infamous for, is being the least represented by women in the world.” She further suggested that while there are several reasons for the low numbers, campaigns dating back to the 70s and 80s have worked to further the gaps.

Mata’afa reasoned that “there might be a correlation between the level of development of a country and the rate of representation by women.”

Minister Patsy Wong for Women’s Affairs and Ethnic Affairs pointed out Samoa as being one of the Pacific countries that is severely underrepresented by women.

Wong is focusing on strengthening women’s representation and leadership not only in the public sector, but also in the corporate sector, as well as addressing the pay gap between men and women. She also supports women in the work force and creating a career path for women to promote the range of employment choices for girls. She continues to advocate for and inspire greater equality in decision making in the Pacific region.

Ostby of the UNDP says that when it comes to increasing women’s political representation, extra funding is only one consideration.

Ostby further stated: “Advocacy is important, and [so is] the willingness to look at existing electoral systems. For example, when you have constituencies with single representatives, that creates [a] situation for the voters…if you have several candidates coming out of a constituency perhaps there’s a bigger chance to have more diversity on this gender issue as well as on other issues.”

For more information, please see:
United Nations Development Programme: Pacific Centre – Promoting Women in Pacific Legislatures

Radio New Zealand International – Willingness to change electoral systems needed to get more women MPs – 25 March 2010

Pacific Gender Action Portal – Big Apple Bytes: Pacific women in politics panel stirs interest – 03 March 2010

By Eileen Gould
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

SYDNEY, Australia – One of the most influential individuals in Australia’s Aboriginal community passed away last weekend, suffering from asbestosis.

Charles “Chicka” Dixon contracted asbestosis when he was a “wharf worker”, according to the Maritime Union of Australia.  He died at age 81.

Mr. Dixon was national recognized for his work pertaining to aboriginal Australians.  He was an active participant in the campaign for the 1967 referendum on citizenship for these individuals.

Although many were aware that the activist has been sick for quite some time, learning of his death was still incredibly sad for state officials, who have offered to give him a state funeral.

Mr. Dixon was dedicated to working with the Aboriginal people of Australia for many years.  A New South Wales Premier, Kristina Keneally said that “[he] spent his life fighting for the rights of indigenous Australians.”

Another official, Bev Manton, who is the NSW Aboriginal Land Council Chairperson, noted that he “dedicated his life to fighting for basic human rights and justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”  [The Torres Strait Islands are located in the strait between Australia and the Melanesian island of New Guinea.]

Mr. Dixon, who was himself and Aboriginal person, became involved in Australian politics in 1946.

During the 1950s, Mr. Dixon was active in the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders.  He also set up services for a community in Sydney.

In addition, he was one of the founding members of the New South Wales Aboriginal Legal Service and the Aboriginal Medical service.

In 1972, Dixon brought a group of Aboriginal Australians to China to speak about “their struggle for justice while at the same time shaming the federal government.”

He was the first Aboriginal individual to be appointed as one of the Australia Council’s members.

According to the National Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia, “Chicka was a worker, leader and activist who was determined to turn around racism and elitism and gain proper recognition for the extraordinary culture and character of his people and the great injustice done to them.”

Ms. Manton proclaimed that “[t]he Chicka Dixon story is one of Australia’s gutsiest fighters for human rights”.

The state funeral will be held next week.

For more information please see:
Sydney Morning Herald – Aboriginal activist Charles ‘Chicka’ Dixon to receive state funeral – 23 March 2010

ABC News – Aboriginal activist ‘Chicka’ Dixon dies – 22 March 2010

Sydney Morning Herald – Aboriginal community mourns Chicka Dixon – 22 March 2010

By Cindy Trinh
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

APIA, Samoa – The Samoa Umberalla Group for NGOs says that the Samoan government has been discriminative with it’s choice of who will be part of the Commission of Inquiry into the freedom of religion.

On March 14, 2010, the Samoa government approved the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to review freedom of religion in Samoa. The freedom of religion is a fundamental human right safeguarded under an International Convention that is ratified by Samoa as well as in the country’s constitution.

The Commission’s primary responsibilities are: “to inquire into and report in detail on the working of Article 11 of the Constitution in relation to churches and other religious organizations in Samoa and to examine and report whether there is any necessity or expediency for further specific legislation related to this right.”

A U.S. State Department Human Rights report in 2009 points out that the government of Samoa generally respects the people’s freedom of religion and the Samoa constitution acknowledges an “independent state based on Christian principles and Samoan custom and tradition.” However, there is no official or state denomination.

The report went on to state: “The law grants each person the right to change religion or belief and to worship or teach religion alone or with others, but in practice the matai [villagers of Samoa] often choose the religious denomination of the extended family.”

According to the State Department’s International Religion Freedom Report of 2009, villages traditionally tend to have one primary Christian church, but now many larger villages have multiple churches serving different denominations. These newer, non-traditional groups face resistance when attempting to establish itself in a village.

The general secretary of the National Council of Churches in Samoa, Rev. Maauga Motu, says that “the Commission of Inquiry is a good move to stop more religions from coming to the country, as there are enough already…the church is already fed up with this many religious beliefs coming into the country and disturbing or moving people around…from one religion to another.”

Motu says that he does not have a problem with different religions already established in Samoa, like Bahai and Muslim faiths, but he does not want any more allowed in.

However, the government is concerned that the other religions, yet to arrive in Samoa, which strongly advocate beliefs that are contrary to Christianity, should be allowed since the freedom of religion gives the right to practice whatever religion a person wants to practice.

In a statement, the government says that freedom of religion has “posed a direct challenge to the autonomy of the village council.”

Because of the huge controversy over the matter, a Commission of Inquiry was established to give advice to the Cabinet in handling this.

The first inquiry that the Commission is responsible for handling is whether freedom of religion is being exercised too widely and whether there is a need to institute corresponding laws or regulations.

The head of the Samoa Umberalla Group for NGOs, Vaasiliifiti Moelagi Jackson, says that to take away the freedom of religion is against human rights. She criticizes the government for being discriminative in its choices of who will be a part of the Commission.

She commented: “We are very very disappointed that [in] the commission that [the government] has selected there has been an absence of women…they are very discriminative, other churches are not included and they should all be there and voice their own values and why they are here and why there is a need of a new church.”

Jackson says that only the major churches, like the Christian Congregational and Catholic Church, are part of the Commission.

She further stated that the Commission should look at having guidelines where the churches must be registered and their books audited.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International – Samoa NGO criticises govt’s commission of inquiry choice – 23 March 2010

Samoa News – Samoa gov establishes commission to investigate freedom of religion and matai titles – 21 March 2010

Islands Business – Samoa reviews freedom of religion – 17 March 2010

Samoa Observer – Commission reviews freedom of religion – 16 March 2010

Radio New Zealand International – Commission of Inquiry in Samoa to review Freedom of Religion – 14 March 2010