NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga – New government guidelines on news reporting may lead to a lifting of the current ban on political reporting, Minister of Information Afu’alo Matoto told Tongan journalists on Friday.  He said that the ban is in place because the government felt that the Tonga Broadcasting Commission (TBC) was presenting unbalanced news and was concerned with the quality of reporting.  Matoto believes that the new guidelines will be helpful for reporters in the long run, though some, like TBC news editor Nanise Fifita, have expressed their doubts.  The guidelines are still being drafted, and their scope has not yet been determined.

Tongan journalists remain concerned, especially about their lack of access to important documents like pending legislation, which is not released to them unless and until it is passed, and to court decisions, where cost per page can be prohibitive.  During his meeting with the journalists, Matoto said that he will try to improve the flow of information from the government to the news media.

Matoto recently criticized a report from Reporters Without Borders, which ranked Tonga as 119th of 169 countries on its World Press Freedom Index, a large slide from last year when Tonga was ranked 54th.

For more information, please see:

Tonga Now – Minister of Information doubts report by Reporters Without Borders – 14 November 2007

Matangi Tonga – Govt drawing news “guideline” for public broadcasting – 19 November 2007

Radio New Zealand International – Tonga to get guidelines to lift ban on political reporting – 20 November 2007

The Reporters Without Borders annual World Press Freedom Index may be found here.

By Sarah C. LaBelle
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Oceania

HONIARA, Solomon Islands – The Solomon Islands government is in turmoil this week, with nine high-level government ministers defecting to the opposition after Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare shuffled his cabinet.  Deputy Prime Minister Toswell Kaua resigned, along with Dr. Derrick Sikua, Steve Abana, Nollen Leni, Stanley Festus Sofu, Gordon Darcy Lilo, Sam Iduri, Mark Kemakeza, Patrick Vahoe, Peter Tom, Martin Sopage, Martin Magga, and Trevor Olovae.  Lilo and Abana were terminated from their positions for “working against” Sogavare.

The resigning ministers delivered signed letters to Governor General Nathaniel Waena, which were also signed by backbenchers and members of the opposition, calling for Sogavare to resign from his position.  They stated that if he would not resign, they would submit a no confidence motion.  The opposition is confident that they now have the numbers to force the resignation, and consequently, that Sogavare no longer has the numbers to rule.  Waena called Sogavare in, but Sogavare maintains that he has the numbers to rule.

Waena told Parliament that the issue was a political one, and that he cannot intervene unless he is certain that the elected leaders cannot overcome the political impasse.  He told the press, “As Governor General, I don’t see it as a Constitutional crisis but a political crisis.  They are two different things.  The numbers form political crisis, therefore they are elected with a mandate from our people to sort out the political chaos.”  While Waena will not recall parliament to hold a no-confidence vote, he will reconsider the situation next week if it has not been resolved.

Sogavare, however, has said that only Parliament can remove him from office, and has restated his belief that the government does still have the requisite numbers to remain in power.  Transparency International reports that Sogavare is rapidly losing popular support, and the opposition is steadfast in its intent to overthrow him.  The opposition has said that empty ministerial portfolios prove that the government does not have the numbers to lead.

The opposition coalition has said that if they are successful in their bid to unseat Sogavare, they will turn over current Attorney General Julian Moti to the Australian authorities, who have wanted to indict him on child sex tourism charges since the late 1990s.  Sacked finance minister Gordon Lilo said that Moti is now “the most worried person” in the Solomons, and is doing everything he can to keep Sogavare in power.

Some defections this week have gone the other way, from the opposition to the government, and three of the original resigning ministers returned to the government.  These moves have been followed with allegations that those defectors were bribed back to the government, which Sogavare has vehemently denied.  Former Prime Minister Sir Allan Kemakeza was rumoured to have joined with the government, though he told reporters that he was not going anywhere and that he would not do any deals.

Both sides maintain that they have the numbers to rule.

For more information, please see:

Solomon Times – Sogavare Reshuffles Cabinet Ministers – 09 November 2007

Radio New Zealand International – Solomon Islands government in crisis – 11 November 2007

Radio New Zealand International – Solomons PM says he has no details of complaints by revolting Cabinet ministers – 11 November 2007

Radio New Zealand International – Sogavare administration still intact, says Solomons government caucas chair – 12 November 2007

Radio New Zealand International – Solomons government claims it still has the numbers despite resignations – 12 November 2007

Radio New Zealand International – Solomons Opposition confident of removing PM, following Gov’t defections – 12 November 2007

Radio New Zealand International – Solomon Islands Prime Minister his out at his former Finance Minister – 12 November 2007

Solomon Times – New Govt Promises to Repatriate Moti – 12 November 2007

Solomon Times – Solomons Citizens Call for Government Stability – 12 November 2007

Solomon Times – Lilo, Abana Sacked for Working Against PM – 12 November 2007

Solomon Times – Only Parliament Can Vote Me Out: Sogavare – 12 November 2007

Solomon Times – Solomons Govt in Political Crisis – 12 November 2007

Islands Business – PM Sogavare says only parliament can vote him out – 12 November 2007

Islands Business – PM says deputy is ‘ring leader’ of defecting ministers wanting to oust him – 12 November 2007

Islands Business – GG summons Sogavare, Govt claims administration still in tact – 12 November 2007

Islands Business – Three government backbenchers defect opposition – 13 November 2007

Islands Business – Governor General calls on politicians to solve crisis – 13 November 2007

Islands Business – Transparency says PM losing support – 13 November 2007

Islands Business – We still have the numbers: Opposition – 13 November 2007

Pacific Islands Report (Solomon Star) – Sogavare Defiant After Solomons Resignations – 13 November 2007

Radio New Zealand International – Solomons PM faces defiant opposition – 13 November 2007

Solomon Times – Sir Nathaniel: Current Power Struggle Political Crisis – 13 November 2007

Solomon Times – We Still Have the Majority: Lilo – 13 November 2007

Solomon Times – Governor General Demands Resignation Letters – 13 November 2007

Radio New Zealand International – Solomon Islands Prime Minister says current political upheaval is over – 14 November 2007

Islands Business – Government crisis worries Moti – 15 November 2007

Sydney Morning Herald – Former Solomons PM struggling for power – 15 November 2007

Solomon Times – Sir Allan joins Grand Coalition for Change Government – 15 November 2007

Solomon Times – PM Sogavare: No Bribery Offered to Koli – 15 November 2007

Solomon Times – “The Game is Now Over”: PM Sogavare – 15 November 2007

Solomon Times – Unions Call on PM to Step Down – 16 November 2007

Radio New Zealand International – Solomon Islands opposition says empty ministerial portfolios prove PM lacks numbers – 16 November 2007

Please note that the Solomon Star has exceeded its bandwidth and is therefore not online at this time.

For more information on the Moti affair, please see the Impunity Watch reportson Moti’s appointment as attorney general for the Solomons, PNG government involvement in Moti’s escape, the Vanuatu case status, Australia’s extradition attempt and the missing PNG inquiry report, PNG court refusal to suppress the inquiry report, and Moti’s fear of assassination attempts.  The inquiry report itself was released to Dade on 28 September, and he found the inquiry to be illegal at the end of October.  The issue is on appeal in the PNG court system,barring public debate at this time

By Sarah C. LaBelle
Impunity Watch Senior Desk Officer, Oceania

PORT MORESBY, Paupa New Guinea – Assassination threats against Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare are being investigated by police and security has been elevated around his residences.  These threats came at a time when various NGO members had planned a protest at parliament to petitioning for Somare to step down over the Moti affair.

[For more on the Moti affair and Somare’s involvement, see the Impunity Watchreports on Somare’s involvement in Moti’s escape to the Solomon Islands, themissing inquiry documents, court refusal to repress the inquiry report, and the defense minister’s recent finding that the inquiry was illegal.]

There have also been threats against senior elected leaders of parliament.  Police Commissioner Gari Baki confirmed the threats and that police are taking action, but he did not comment on where the threats were coming from.  Police have increased street patrols, particularly around bus stops and markets, and police and Defense intelligence are conducting surveillance.  Baki said of the threats, “It’s uncalled for, it’s unheard of in Papua New Guinea anyway, that we adopt those kinds of principles of terror operations.”

The protest planning was stopped after police said that they had linked the assassination threats to the march.  Protest leaders say that heavy rain and their inability to collect the requisite fifty thousand signatures were secondary reasons the march was cancelled.  They reiterated that they only wanted their grievances heard, and that they cancelled out of respect for the parliamentary budget session.

Some who were planning to protest claim that their freedom of expression is being infringed upon.  Opposition leader Sir Mekere Morauta released a statement saying that while the police do have the ability to stop the march under their constitutional responsibility to protect people and property, they should not prevent citizens from expressing themselves.  He also stated that he does not believe in mob rule or street protests.

For more information, please see:

The National – Threats to PM – 15 November 2007

The Australian – ‘Plot to kill’ PNG leader – 15 November 2007

Radio New Zealand International – Police stop planned protest against PNG PM – 15 November 2007

Islands Business – Police investigate threats of kill plot against PM Somare – 15 November 2007

by Ryan L. Maness
Impunity Watch Reporter, Oceania

SUVA, Fiji — (For background on this story, please see Impunity Watch’s coverage here ).  Millionaire businessman Ballu Khan was released from the hospital today and was taken into Fiji police to be questioned regarding his alleged involvement in the assassination of Fiji interim Prime Minister Bainimarama.  Khan had been hospitalized for what was ultimately discovered to be a fracture at the base of his skull and a fracture of his left cheek bone.  Some reports also indicate that Khan’s rib was broken.  The Fiji police insist that the injuries were sustained when Khan resisted arrest.

Beyond the physical injuries that Khan sustained, there is concern about his psychological health.  A medical report prepared bya surgeon at Suva’s Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete, and the head of Suva’s School of Medical Sciences, Professor Eddie McCaigsaid, “‘The psychological effect of his confinement and assault is evident in his inability to sleep and the fact he hasn’t eaten for four days.”  It went on to say that, “‘We are continually reminded of his ‘verbal assaults’ and ‘not been left alone”’.

Khan’s lawyer, Tevita Fa, says that his client should be returned to the hospital to receive further treatment for his injuries.  According to Fa, Khan, who was admitted to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital two weeks ago, still looks weak.

Relatedly, military and police officers have raided Khan’s home at Udu Point on Vanua Levu.  Military spokesman Mosese Tikoitoga confirmed that the mission did take place, but that he had not yet received word on what may have been found during the course of the raid.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International — Conspiracy suspect Khan in Fiji police custody after hospital detention — 14 November 2007

Fiji Times — Khan suffered skull, cheekbone injuries — 14 November 2007

Radio New Zealand International — Lawyer concerned for the health of New Zealander in police custody — 14 November 2007

Fiji Times — Army raid Khan’s Waisavu home –14 November 2007

New Zealand Herald — Fijian Kiwi has fractured skull, cheekbone doctor says — 14 November 2007

Fiji Times — Khan discharged from hospital — 14 November 2007

NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga – Tonga’s emergency regulations have been extended yet again, nearly a year after pro-democracy riots demolished most of the business district in downtown Nuku’alofa.  The regulations limit access and activities in the central business district, and prevent groups of five or more from meeting in certain areas.  This is the thirteenth time the regulations have been extended.

While pro-democracy groups claim that the state of emergency constitutes an admission of guilt by the government for the conditions that led to the riot, Police Minister Noble Siaosi’Aho says that the shooting of a businesswoman during an attempted robbery is what spurred the extension this time.  He also said police investigations revealed that some individuals still plan to incite unrest or to burn down business premises or government buildings.

For more information, please see:

Islands Business – Emergency regulations continue a year after destructive riots– 13 November 2007

Radio New Zealand International – Tongan minister says recent robbery a factor in emergency extension – 13 November 2007