PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea — On Friday, more than 2,000 students in Papua New Guinea’s University of Technology in Lae staged a protest, accusing the government of corruption.

The protest was reportedly part of a movement to inspire other college campuses to hold the government responsible for what students believe is an inability to keep inflation low. Rising prices have created a situation where people can barely afford necessities with the money they make.

The protests come on the heals of PNG Treasurer, Patrick Pruaitch’s statement that inflation had risen to a startling ten point 7 per cent.

Jackson Kiakari, the Student Representative Council president, who also leads the National Union of Students, has called for other colleges to push more accountability within the PNG government.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International — Students strike in Papua New Guinea over inflation and corruption — 05 September 2008

By Sarah E. Treptow

Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — A group of seventy Pacific Islands workers arrived in New Zealand in May as part of the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme to work in vineyards.  The workers were sent home early when the work was done, leaving most struggling.  “They do not have any employment here in Kiribati. One of the issues that we are looking at is how they are going to repay the money they borrowed from government to fund their trip to New Zealand, the airfare and other expenses,” says Taakei Taoaba, secretary of Kiribati’s labour department.

The returned Kiribati workers say they lived in overcrowded housing while receiving little work and little pay.  The New Zealand Department of Labour says twenty-two Kiribati workers living in a three-bedroom house was the worst overcrowding it has encountered.  According to a Department spokesman, the house was inspected before workers arrived and was deemed suitable for six or eight people.

It is the New Zealand Department of Labour’s job to ensure the workers are paid for the work they have done and accommodations are appropriate.  A notice has been served to the employer, Fore-Vintage Contracting, about the unacceptable accommodations and the investigation for the Kiribati group is continuing.

Some employers have complained about the seasonal workers being unskilled in the work and the department has said in the future they will work closely with the Kiribati government to make sure the workers are trained correctly.  There will also be an end of year review of the program and some employers will be routinely audited.

Ten Kiribati workers have absconded, disappearing into New Zealand.  The government is urging them to turn themselves in before they are found and deported.

The Australian government is considering a similar program for workers but has reported they will not make the same mistakes as the New Zealand government.

For more information, please see:

Radio New Zealand International — Kiribati Government to try and ensure better treatment of seasonal workers in New Zealand — 05 September 2008

The New Zealand Herald — More than 20 workers in 3-bedroom house — 28 August 2008

Islands Business — NZ Government may compensate mistreated vineyard workers — 28 August 2008

By Hayley J. Campbell
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

JAYAPURA, West Papua — A New Zealand MP along with Human Rights Groups are calling on Pacific countries to confront Indonesia on human rights abuses in West Papua.

Last week, the Forum leaders summit met in Niue to address key issues among the Pacific island countries. Absent from those issues, was the continuing unrest and protests taking place in West Papua. Keith Locke, an MP for Zealand’s Green party, criticized the Forum leaders for postponing the discussion over West Papua’s future. In addition, Mr. Locke is encouraging New Zealand and other Pacific Island countries to push Indonesia into a dialogue about their intentions regarding West Papua.

Since last year’s Forum meeting, several reports of human rights abuses have surfaced. Specifically, West Papuans have reported abusive treatment by Indonesian military. Indonesian law has made it illegal for West Papuans to raise nationalistic flags such as the Morning Star.

“The intimidation by the security forces of the West Papuan people is all pervasive and creates a climate of fear in the people of West Papua. The overwhelming military presence ensures that the security  forces can act with total impunity,” Joe Collins, of the Australia West Papua Association (AWPA), told the Fiji Daily Post.

In April 2008, several students were imprisoned for waving flags suggesting Papua’s right to self-determination and independence from Indonesia. Once a Dutch colony on New Guinea’s western end, Papua became Indonesia’s largest province in 1969. Violence erupted in 2003 after President Megawati Sukarnoputri separated Papua into three provinces: Central Irian Jaya (Irian Jaya Tengah), Papua (or East Irian Jaya, Irian Jaya Timur), and West Irian Jaya (Irian Jaya Barat). Indonesian courts declared that the creation of the central province was unconstitutional and in opposition to Papua’s Special Autonomy status.

Collins says independent Pacific countries must stand up for the rights of other Pacific peoples struggling for independence and self-determination.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International — New Zealand MP critical of Pacific Forum countries for ignoring plight of Papuans – 24 August 2008

Fiji Daily Post — Forum urged to consider West Papuan rights — 22 August 2008

ABC, Radio Australia — Forum leaders arrive in Niue for summit — 20 August 2008

The Pacific Islands Forum — Press Statement: Sis Leaders Conclude 17th Summit in Niue — 19 August 2008

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

ALOFI, Niue — Last week Fiji’s interim government decided to boycott a meeting of the Pacific Island Forum in Niue and the move has caused rumbles throughout the region.  In the wake of their no-show other members of the Forum have threatened to take action against Fiji.

The leaders at the Pacific Forum, who have paid particular attention to Fiji’s movement towards restoring democratic elections after its December coup in 2006, have called Fiji’s lack of attendance unacceptable. New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Helen Clark, described Fiji’s non-attendance in light of their recent announcement that democratic elections would not be held on the original 2009 timetable.  “They have also signalled that they are not going to just let the issue drop, they did accept undertakings in good faith, that there is no technical, administrative, managerial reasons why elections cannot be held by March next year. Only political will is lacking.”

One proposed sanction for Fiji is for the country to be suspended from the Forum.  However, this solution is far from certain because any the suspension of Fiji could cause a cessation of aid money from the European Union and the United Nations.

Despite the statements of Pacific leaders, Fiji’s interim government has maintained that it did not transgress by not attending the meeting in Niue.  Fiji’s Interim Foreign Affairs Minister, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, said that claims that Fiji did not attend because of its election timetable are “misleading” and that the real reason was because of the political agenda of New Zealand and Australia.  Frank Bainimarama also called on the 16 member nations of the Pacific Island Forum to not allow the Forum to become a tool of New Zealand and Australian foreign policy.

For more information, please see:
Fiji Times — Interim PM makes fresh unity call — 25 August 2008

Radio Australia — Fiji warns Forum to watch out for Australia, New Zealand — 23 August 2008

Radio New Zealand International — Fiji interim government blames New Zealand for its “no-show” at Forum summit — 21 August 2008

Radio New Zealand International — NZ prime minister says suspension would damage Fiji economy — 21 August 2008

Radio New Zealand International — Forum considers suspending Fiji if it reneges on election commitments — 21 August 2008

Radio New Zealand International — Fiji won’t lose much if suspended from Forum, says Chaudhry — 21 August 2008

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