AsiaPacificReport.nz

By Julie Hunter

International law firm Blue Ocean Law and the Fiji-based regional non-governmental organisation Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) have released a report detailing the risks and pitfalls of deep sea mining for Pacific peoples in light of governments’ inadequate regulatory frameworks.

Titled Resource Roulette: How Deep Sea Mining and Inadequate Regulatory Frameworks Imperil the Pacific and its Peoples, the report is an independent legal and policy analysis of the deep sea mining (DSM) legislation of 14 Pacific Island nations, and includes in-depth case studies of DSM in Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Tonga.

“The report examines not only the absence of requisite indigenous rights and environmental protections in existing legislation, but the capacity of Pacific Islands to implement and enforce laws purporting to regulate deep sea mining,” said attorney Julian Aguon of Blue Ocean Law (BOL).

Insights gleaned from months of fieldwork and interviews with various commentators and experts have revealed that many countries are vastly under-resourced in terms of policing DSM activities in their waters.

As a result, countries which undertook DSM at this early, experimental stage, risked incurring great environmental and social harms likely to affect indigenous and coastal communities.

Moreover, Pacific countries may garner little to no revenue, and in some cases, actually lose money from expenses associated with DSM, including high-risk equity investments and costly environmental clean-up, as well as arbitration and other legal proceedings.

The report also documents impacts from exploratory DSM on PI nations’ fisheries and tourism sectors, which have already been felt in countries like PNG and Tonga.

Consent failure
These impacts are compounded by the failure to obtain the free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) of indigenous peoples and other affected communities, and represent the opposite of a precautionary approach to hazardous industrial ventures — both required under international law.

“Countries in the region, particularly in Melanesia, have been rushing into agreements with mining companies without bothering to consult with or obtain the FPIC of indigenous peoples or affected groups,” said PANG coordinator Maureen Penjueli.

“This rush to mine is largely a result of pressure from industry and foreign governments, and has resulted in legislative frameworks favourable to mining operators, which minimise the risks of DSM and lack enforceable human rights and environmental provisions.”

Given the high number of poorly regulated, unprofitable terrestrial mines in the region, Pacific countries are advised to adopt a cautious approach exemplified by a growing number of countries, including Australia, New Zealand and Mexico, and enact moratoria on DSM until comprehensive scientific studies can be done on the deep ocean ecosystem.

The BOL-PANG report has been published by the University of South Pacific and is available on the online library catalogue.

The report can also be accessed from the BOL and PANG websites.

It is anticipated that the report will serve as a useful tool for indigenous communities, civil society organisations, and governments currently facing the prospect of DSM in their waters.

This report was developed by Blue Ocean Law (BOL) and the Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG).

Resource Roulette – the full BOL-PANG report

AsiaPacificReport.nz

Now that the Festival of Pacific Arts is over, what happens next? The promotion and preservation of culture doesn’t stop, reports Kuam News in this video.

Guam’s Vice-Speaker Benjamin Cruz has expressed concern over the government’s financial responsibility to host the two-week Festival of Pacific Arts, which concluded on Saturday, reports the Pacific Daily News.

“Everything has been excellent, I’ve been to all the venues, and it’s been phenomenal,” Cruz said.

“Every time I go, I just fear how much extra is this costing.

“I’m sure I’ll get the bill when this is over.”

Cruz said being a gracious host can be costly and would probably affect government operations elsewhere.

He said he recently received a letter from the head of a government of Guam agency, telling him that the department hasn’t been getting its monthly budget allotments since December, reports Pacific Daily News.

Executive branch agencies were authorised last week to give every employee up to four days of paid administrative leave to attend FestPac — so long as it didn’t compromise daily operations.

The Pacific Daily News obtained a letter from Governor Eddie Calvo dated May 27, in which he encouraged such employees to “cheer” for their friends, family and co-workers participating in the festival.

“To those of you behind the scenes, to those of you who are part of the show, to all of you who have encouraged and cheered them on, I am grateful to all of you for your effort,” Calvo wrote.

“Please use this the opportunity to enjoy the festival, which is only held every four years – and this is the first time Guam has had the honor of hosting.”

AsiaPacificReport.nz

By Quintina Naime in Port Moresby

Student leaders at the University of Papua New Guinea’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences stand firm on their decision to boycott classes today out of “patriotism”.

The medical school students were supposed to resume classes today while the main campus will resume next week.

However, Medfac has decided to continue with the boycott.

Male student representative Hermin Peamo said they would continue with this struggle as “we’ve come a long way and fought a good fight”.

Students at universities across Papua New Guinea have been protesting and boycotting classes for almost two months, calling on Prime Minister Peter O’Neill tio stand down and cooperate with police investigations into corruption allegations.

The UPNG leaders, including course leaders and members of the Student Representative Council (SRC), made the decision last night during a meeting.

“We have talked about all possible avenues regarding our academic studies and have decided that we will continue to stand in this fight,” Peamo said

“Whatever risk that it might take, we are ready to face it and we are not afraid to take risks as leaders,” he said after a student forum today.

Afternoon forum
Another forum was held this afternoon to collect views from the student body at the Three-Mile campus.

Peamo said: “SMHS [School of Medicine and Health Sciences] is really complex and diverse and we leaders have been really challenged to make strong decisions for our country and the people.

“It is our patriotism and our moral conscience that has caused us to stand this far.”

Peamo added that this is their stand and they would convey that message to their fellow colleagues and students at the Waigani Campus.

Meanwhile, UPNG acting chancellor Dr Nicholas Mann has urged students to avoid situations that would lead to another suspension. He said they would do more damage to their academic year if they continued to boycott.

An unnamed student correspondent today posted a message at Loop PNG, claiming that “most of the medical students attended class today”.

The student added: “Please, Loop PNG reporters must get information properly. Some started class today. The ones that you saw today at the forum [were] mixed with students from the main campus [at Waigani].

Quintina Naime is a reporter for Loop PNG.

AsiaPacificReport.nz

The NGO Coalition on Human Rights has declared its disappointment over the recent “unjust” incident resulting in the suspension of Opposition Member Roko Tupou Draunidalo for the remaining term of the current Fiji Parliament.

The suspension was recommended by the Privileges Committee, which reported contravention of Standing Order 62 (4) (a) and (d) and the coalition has called for a review.

“The coalition considers the lengthy suspension to be a direct injustice to the 2966 voters who cast their vote for Ms Draunidalo in the 2014 elections, as well as further worsening the gender balance in Parliament,” said the chair of NGOCHR, Tara Chetty.

With Roko Tupou’s suspension, there are now just 7 women in Fiji’s 50-member Parliament – a ratio of only 14 percent women to 86 percent men, she said.

“We call on the Privileges Committee and government Members to reconsider this decision, which we feel is disproportionate and unnecessarily deprives voters of an engaged and active representative.”

It is the coalition’s understanding that the incident could more appropriately have been raised as a Point of Order during the debate on 2 June 2016, allowing the Speaker to immediately rule on the issue as outlined in the Standing Orders, Chetty said.

Instead, the matter was raised much later on the basis of an audio clip that was then referred to the Privileges Committee.

Democracy is about debate
“Removing a Member of Parliament in this way is likely to dissuade other Parliamentarians from thoroughly debating national issues.  Yet democracy is all about debate, a diversity of views, and vigorous but productive disagreement,” Chetty said.

“This incident is significant because it undermines the perception of Fiji’s democracy and our Parliamentary process.  It is not just about those who voted for Ms Draunidalo, but for all voters – will our issues be debated robustly in Parliament or is it going to become an increasingly hollow process?”

The NGO Coalition on Human Rights is a non-partisan group of civil society organisations that promote the recognition and realisation of human rights in Fiji.  The member organisations represent and work with diverse networks and communities from around the country.

AsiaPacificReport.nz

The Morning Star flag is a defining symbol of the West Papuan independence movement, which calls for West Papuan self-determination and independence from Indonesia.

Benedict Coyne, president of Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR), said: “ALHR is concerned by media reports alleging that the property owners have asked the artists to paint over the mural as a ‘matter of urgency’ following the application of ‘external pressures’.

“The media has also reported that, while the Indonesian Consul in Darwin, Andre Siregar, denies contacting the wall owner, he wrote to the Northern Territory government in August 2015 to register his opposition to the depiction of the flag.

“Siregar is also reported to have said that he believed there were about ‘two people’ in Darwin who supported the West Papuan independence movement.”

Coyne said: “ALHR is concerned by allegations of any attempts to use ‘external pressures’ to limit the rights of freedom of speech and expression in Australia. These rights are essential to a healthy and vibrant democracy.

“It should be remembered that the right to freedom of expression includes the right to peacefully advocate for things like referendums and independence as long as that advocacy does not involve incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence.

Self-determination struggle
“If residents of the Northern Territory wish to draw attention to the plight of West Papuans who are engaged in a struggle for self-determination and do so in accordance with Australian laws, there should be no external pressure to silence them.”

ALHR NT convenor Monique Hurley said: “Attempts to apply any pressure to remove the mural are particularly troubling given that Indonesian authorities continue to restrict access by foreign journalists and human rights monitors to Indonesia’s easternmost provinces of Papua.

“This has hampered the independence movement’s ability to expose human rights violations alleged to have been perpetrated by Indonesia.”

Coyne said “ALHR calls on President Joko Widodo to take immediate steps to end Indonesian security forces’ increasing attacks on freedom of expression in the country’s Papuan region.

“While Indonesia has the right to maintain public order on its territory, it must ensure that any restrictions on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly do not go further than what is permitted under international human rights law, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Indonesia is a state party.”

Pacific Media Watch notes: The Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (ALHR) was established in 1993 and is a national network of Australian solicitors, barristers, academics, judicial officers and law students who practise and promote international human rights law in Australia. 

AsiaPacificReport.nz

Report and video story by TJ Aumua for Asia Pacific Report

Name: Jale Samuwai Curuki

Age: 30

Occupation: PHD candidate, University of the south Pacific

Passion: Accounting, climate financing

Country: Fiji

Climate change activist, Jale Samuwai Curuki, sends a powerful message from Fiji to the sceptics of climate change.

“I come from the second largest island in Fiji, Vanua Levu,” says the 30-year-old.

“There’s a village there called Vunidogoloa and [this is] the first village in the world to be relocated due to climate change.

“I’ve been to Vunidogoloa and seen the consequences. The entire village is gone and it’s not habitable anymore, they have had to shift so that in itself is a testament that climate change is real.”

“We’re not making this up,” he says. “If you’re still a climate denier, I feel sorry for you.”

Currently completing his PhD in climate financing at the University of the South Pacific in Suva, Curuki can often be found clicking away at the keyboard, getting stuck into his thesis.

Climate financing is one of the issues that affect small island countries in their effort to combat climate change, Curuki explains.

Climate financing
“The issue of climate financing is new. No matter how you spin it, no matter how many fancy words you apply to it, all comes down to money.”

Curuki followed the climate finance track at the 2015 COP21 conference in Paris, which he attended as apart of a selected delegation for Fiji.

“To actually live and experience how agreements and how treaties are made on the highest level is something else, it’s totally mind-blowing,” he says.

He recalls busily running from meetings to negotiations that would sometimes finish in the early hours of the morning.

“We can really appreciate the effort all these diplomats and negotiators do on our behalf,” he says.

Curuki encourages all Pacific communities especially those in New Zealand and Australia to mobilise and take action against climate change.

He makes it clear that if you’re still not convinced, the Pacific isn’t far away for people to come and see the effects for themselves.

“[We are all linked and] for now we might be crying, tomorrow it might be you.”

AsiaPacificReport.nz

By Hans Nicholas Jong in Jakarta

With few commitments to curb cigarette consumption, Indonesia is poised to have the largest population of smokers in the world in the next decade.

Currently, the country ranks fourth on the list of countries with the most smokers, behind China, Russia and the US. But while other heavy-smoking countries are enforcing tough tobacco controls, Indonesia is planning to double tobacco production.

Indonesia already has the world’s highest smoking prevalence among males, as 67.4 percent of males over 15 years old smoke. The cost of treating tobacco-related diseases in the country is currently estimated to reach Rp 11 trillion (NZ$1.21 billion) a year, 0.29 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

“If we don’t prevent and control the impacts of smoking, then there’s a chance we will become the world’s largest tobacco consumer in the next 10 years,” the Health Ministry’s disease control director general, Muhammad Subuh, said during an event to mark World No Tobacco Day.

The governments of China, Russia and the US have realised that health costs and other hidden expenses resulting from smoking are far higher than the money generated from the tobacco industry.

A study published last year in The Lancet medical journal said that a third of all men currently under the age of 20 in China, the world’s largest tobacco producer and consumer, would die prematurely if they did not give up smoking.

Therefore, China signed the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2006. Since then, the Chinese government has worked earnestly to implement the FCTC by adopting a series of measures to control the tobacco epidemic.

Loose controls
Even though tobacco-related diseases claim 200,000 lives in Indonesia every year, the government has refused to sign the FCTC, resulting in loose cigarette controls and the country being dubbed the tobacco industry’s playground.

Like China, Russia and the US have also taken steps to ensure that the tobacco industry does not endanger the future of their young generations.

“We’ve seen changes taking place in countries with very difficult, complex environments. For example, Russia. It now has one of the strongest tobacco control laws in the world. If you had asked us 10 years ago whether Russia would be where they are, we would’ve said it’s very difficult as the industry is very active,” World Lung Foundation senior vice-president of communications Sandra Mullin told The Jakarta Post.

Russia signed the FCTC in 2008 and introduced a comprehensive tobacco control law in 2013, effectively banning advertising of tobacco products as well as sponsorship of events by tobacco companies.

The law aimed to reduce the number of annual tobacco-related deaths from 400,000 to 150,000-200,000.

The US, meanwhile, saw its smoking rates hit an all-time low in 2014, with only 16.8 percent of adults smoking, after it passed the Tobacco Control Act into law in 2009. The law also bans sales of cigarettes to minors and tobacco-brand sponsorship of sports and entertainment events or other social and cultural occasions.

Conversely, the Indonesian government has only made minor efforts to tone down tobacco campaigns. Since 2015, it has banned tobacco advertising in mass media, on public transportation and in all public places. It also bans any form of tobacco advertising aimed at minors.

The government has also been adamant about supporting the tobacco industry by planning to double cigarette production to 524.2 billion cigarettes a year by 2020, the Industry Ministry’s 2015 tobacco industry roadmap states.

“If we see the roadmap, we can just imagine our little children being told to smoke,” the Health Ministry’s director of non- communicable diseases, Lily Sulistyowati, said.

Hans Nicholas Jong is a Jakarta Post reporter.

AsiaPacificReport.nz

By Vanuatu Daily Digest

Imagine With Me is a new Vanuatu Tourism Office promotion video shot in several spectacular locations around Efate island by local production studio Whitelight Media, featuring and narrated by Miss Vanuatu, Valérie Martinez.

Many of the shots have been filmed using a drone, which gives a new perspective on some familiar Efate landmarks.

Vanuatu Tourism Information

AsiaPacificReport.nz

By Marc Lino Abila in Manila

The College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) is most deeply disturbed by President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s statement that murdered journalists are “corrupt and biased”; he even went as far as to insinuate that it is just right to kill corrupt journalists.

Based on this sweeping, fallacious statement, it is obvious that the President-elect does not understand how the culture of impunity perpetuates media killings.

The journalists’ job is to expose the truth behind the general scheme of things. Part of this is to expose malfeasance and corruption in government, at the local or national level.

The campus press calls on President-elect Duterte to do his duty to protect and uphold the Constitution and guarantee freedom of the press. He should be reminded that, as president, it is his responsibility to address the already-worsening culture of impunity in the country.

The CEGP, the oldest, broadest and only alliance of tertiary student publications in the Asia-Pacific founded in 1931, stands in the frontline of the continuing struggle to protect press freedom and it condemns the suppression of campus press and professional media.

Marc Lino Abila is national president of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines

University of the Philippines professors, students slam Duterte statement on press killings

RSF condemns Duterte’s threatening comments on journalists

AsiaPacificReport.nz

OPINION: By Crispin C. Maslog in Manila

Let me start by saying I was not your best fan during the elections. I normally do not engage in election campaigning as a private citizen—except during the heady days of People Power I in 1986 that toppled martial law—but I was so alarmed by your persona and pronouncements as a candidate that I had to put in my two cents’ worth to campaign against you in social media.

I was scared by the image of a president sitting in Malacañang, mouthing profanities and with his mistress as first lady.

But it seems you were able to connect with people, macho image, tough talk and all. And after your election, you showed your soft side and a hint of humility, weeping at your parents’ tomb and asking for national healing.

Now that the people have spoken, we have to accept the verdict. The voice of the people, as they say, is the voice of God. This is the beauty of a democracy.

Allow me now, as a senior citizen who has voted in nine presidential elections, to offer you my unsolicited opinion on some issues.

Your most controversial campaign promise was to eliminate crime in six months. You and I know, of course, that this will not happen, no matter how many thousands you execute extrajudicially in the first month.

So how will you deal with the people’s disappointment when after six months there will still be criminals in the streets?

Reasonable time
But as a reasonable man, I am willing to give you six years. I think most people will agree that that is a reasonable time to do something about crime. We will not expect miracles in six months, but we will expect a reduction in crime in six years, as you step down from office.

I saw your high school buddy, Jess Dureza, now your appointed adviser on the peace process, reassuring the TV-viewing public on May 25 that most of what you said during the campaign was just election hyperbole and not meant to be taken literally.

I’d like to believe him, not only because Jess has been my friend since he was a young journalist in Davao listening to my lectures on community journalism, but also because I really hope you were not serious about extrajudicial killings and that you will behave in a presidential manner once you assume office.

On the positive side, I like many of the things you said and intend to do during your presidency: Greatly minimise if not eliminate (because it is impossible) graft and corruption especially in the Bureaus of Customs, Internal Revenue, and Correction, and minimise if not eliminate red tape in government at the national and local levels. Push the pace of government, including infrastructure.

I love your plan to push the freedom of information bill through a recalcitrant Congress. And I was delirious when you said you’d tell the telcos to shape up or face competition.

We have to boost our internet speed, which is faster only than the internet speed of Afghanistan! Second slowest in Asia, imagine that!

Re your Cabinet, however, you are just like P-Noy. While he had his KKK—kamag-anak, kabarilan, kaibigan—you have your own kaklase, kaibigan, kainuman.

Trusted people
My point here is that you are entitled to have people you know and trust around you, in much the same way P-Noy did.

But I object to two of your choices: Mark Villar will be a magnet for criticism. His family is engaged in the real estate and construction business. No matter how you or he justifies it, there is conflict of interest because the Department of Public Works and Highways constructs the infrastructure which benefits housing and real estate.

Remember, this was the issue against Mark’s father that made him lose the 2010 presidential election. I hope you will reconsider and avoid controversies that will follow this appointment.

And there’s Salvador Panelo, who in 2014 was hired as defence lawyer of Andal Ampatuan Jr., the alleged mastermind of the infamous Maguindanao massacre. He has been quoted as saying that the Ampatuans were just “framed to seize political power”.

Panelo will be haunted by this case every time he faces members of the media, whose brothers and sisters in arms were victims of the Maguindanao massacre. Why don’t you appoint Dureza as your communication/press secretary and spokesperson instead?

But I admire your appointed Cabinet secretary, Leoncio “Jun” Evasco, who, incidentally, was a neighbor of ours in Maribojoc, Bohol, where I was born.

I also object vehemently to your decision to allow the late unlamented dictator Ferdinand Marcos to be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani—the burial ground for heroes, in case you haven’t noticed.

Marcos was not a hero. He was a hated dictator who ruled the Philippines with an iron hand for 14 years, caused the arrest and torture of thousands of our young Filipino patriots, suppressed our free press, destroyed our democratic institutions, and plundered the Philippine economy with the help of his cronies.

More thoughts
There are many more things I want to tell you, President-elect Rody, but space is limited. Here are a few more thoughts.

You don’t have to answer all the questions reporters ask you. They just want to bait you to say something nasty, so they can write a story with a big headline the next day.

Please control your temper. Don’t waste your time and energy insulting the Catholic Church and threatening those who criticise what you do, like Senator-elect Leila de Lima. You have enough enemies already. You will lose your focus on the immense task of governing the country if you are sensitive to criticism.

To quote the great US President, Abraham Lincoln:

“If I were to try… to answer all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for any other business. I do the very best I know how—the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what’s said against me won’t amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference.”

I wish you all the luck in the world.

Crispin C. Maslog is a former journalist with Agence France-Presse and communication professor at Silliman University and UP Los Baños. This article was first published on the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s online edition. Dr Maslog will be in New Zealand next month speaking at the Fourth World Journalism Education Congress (WJEC) conference.

AsiaPacificReport.nz

Language and culture can tell us a lot about where we come from. For these New Zealand-born Samoans, this at the heart of truly understanding who they are. The Pacific Media Centre’s TJ Aumua reports.

A group of New Zealand-born Samoans meet every Tuesday night at Newton Pacific Island Church (PIC) to connect with the Samoan language and their culture.

The 10-week Fa’amatai Bilingual class, run by the Pacific Education Centre (PEC), is a first step for those wanting to learn Samoan rituals and protocols.

The tutor of the class and also PEC Pasifika cultural adviser, Alaelua Taulapapa Leasoiloaifaleupolu Malesala, says the class was important as it allows the community to stay connected through language and culture.

“Many of our New Zealand-born Samoans and even some people that were born in Samoa travelled to Aotearoa at a very young age,” he says.

“They are now in positions of leadership in the New Zealand community which works with a lot of our Samoan community but they don’t have the ability to communicate with our Samoan people in the times that they do come together.”

This class ensures Samoan knowledge is imparted to those that reside in New Zealand, he says.

For many of the students, the class has come to represent a revitalised connection to their language, culture and ultimately embracing their Samoan roots.

Passing on to grandchildren
Class member Peter Ah Kuoi says it is not only a “reconnection” for him, but learning Samoan language allows him to pass what he has learned on to his grandchildren.

“In our class today we learned about a legend, and it was a beautiful story, I think I could tell it to grand kids.

“I kind of missed the boat with [teaching] my children [Samoan] but I now have five grandchildren who I think at this age would be sponges for all these myths and legends of who we are and where we come from.

PIC church member in Newton Theresea Miller says the class will help her connect and better communicate with members of the Samoan community.

“We go on visitations [for church] and it’s good when we go Samoan families that we know the [cultural] processes.”

Mary Anne Copeland says she is taking the class to learn about the formal protocols and Samoan speeches.

“I’m really good with street talk I guess, talking within my own family. But being able to stand up and say a lauga (speech) and to stand up and be able to do a lot of the formal protocols, which normally I wouldn’t do, that’s what the extension of this programme has been able to help me with.”

Staying informed
Alaelua Taulapapa Leasoiloaifaleupolu Malesala encourages all Pasifika people to attend the language classes to stay informed and connected with one another.

“We must always make that connection with home,” he says.

“This is your opportunity to be exposed, be supported and gain some learning for yourselves so you can continue on with your role and responsibly within your aiga (family).”

This story is in celebration of 2016 Samoan Language Week (29 May-4 June 2016)

The theme for this year is:“E felelei manu, ae ma’au i o latou ofaga: Birds migrate to environments where they survive and thrive.”

AsiaPacificReport.nz

Ruth Rungala of EM TV News reports on the National Court granting students right to seek a judicial review of UPNG’s eviction order last month. EM TV YouTube channel.

By Quintina Naime in Port Moresby

The indefinite suspension of classes at the University of Papua New Guinea has been lifted and students will return to class to continue semester one.

The decision was announced yesterday by the university council following 10 days of suspension.

Semester one will resume on June 13, which is a public holiday. This is so classes will kick off on Tuesday, June 14, while the medical students will commence classes on June 6.

UPNG’s acting chancellor Dr Nicholas Mann said the suspension had given the council ample time to reorganise the academic calendar and also for the students to “think things through”.

The 2016 academic calendar has now been extended by another three weeks past schedule.

The restructured calendar will see semester one continue from June 13 to July 22. This will head straight into semester two from July 25 to November 5.

Dr Mann appealed to parents to encourage their children to return to classes.

He urged students to avoid situations that would lead to another suspension as they would do more damage to their academic year if they continued to boycott.

The students had been protesting for about a month over the country’s governance, calling on Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to stand down and face investigations into corruption allegations.

Quintina Naime is a Loop PNG reporter.

AsiaPacificReport.nz

By Annette Kora in Port Moresby

A TV Wan female journalist and two National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) reporters in Papua New Guinea have been assaulted by a plain clothes police officer while covering a story about a group of high school students who were behind bars because they were alleged to have been caught drinking.

As the media team entered the Boroko Police Station juvenile office in the capital of Port Moresby around 4pm on Wednesday, there were about 16 students inside, most of them females, reports the digital news service Loop PNG.

They were a bit intimidated by the media groups’ presence but after much reassurance, they were able to talk to the reporters about how they ended up there.

The TV Wan reporter said that after the interview, one of the students asked her if the officers could give them back their cellphones so they could call their parents.

She first asked Superintendent for Operations Brian Kombe, reported Loop PNG.

He reportedly sent an officer to tell another officer holding onto the phones to return them to the students. However, after 30 minutes, the students still did not get their phones back.

“I later walked in and kindly asked the civilian officer why he had confiscated their phones when they had not been formally arrested, and if he could give their phones back so they could call their parents to come down to the station,” the unnamed journalist said.

Manhandled and kicked
“He told me that he would not give back their phones and that I would have to step outside and do my job so he could do his job.

“I told him that I heard clearly from the Superintendent for Operations, there were no arrests made yet and that they were still waiting for the commander to come and an arrest can be made, therefore the students must be given back their phones to contact their parents.”

The civilian officer then came towards the female reporter and tried to manhandle her out of the office, ripping her shirt in the process, Loop PNG reported.

The officer then kicked her in her ribs and she fell down. He later went outside and started assaulting two other female reporters from NBC, but Superintendent Kombe arrived and stopped him.

TV Wan chief editor Glenda Popot condemned the action of the civilian officer as her police reporter was only doing her job and she should not have been treated in such a manner.

Popot said this was police brutality against journalists and the media industry would not tolerate such actions from the police officers.

“We will not be intimidated,” she said.

Popot called on the police to take action about this, adding that journalists had the freedom to report and ask questions and the police should let journalists do their jobs without fear or favour.

Annette Kora is a reporter with Loop PNG News. This report has been relayed by the Pacific Media Watch freedom project.

TV Wan News

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EMTV News ACP headlines on YouTube.

By Meleasie Goviro in Port Moresby

Representing the Pacific Islands at the official opening of the African Caribbean and Pacific Leaders Summit, Samoan Prime Minister Dr Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi has highlighted the management of climate change to be an “imperative” goal for all ACP countries.

Malielegaoi called on all ACP countries on Tuesday to set aside their differences and work together to curb the effects of climate change in the light of Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

The summit in Port Moresby ended yesterday.

Climate change, Malielegaoi said, was an existential threat for low lying atolls.

He said small countries like Kiribati and Tuvalu needed ACP’s attention and praised the ACP council for including a Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Forum within the ACP structure.

“For SIDS, the Samoa pathway provides the foundation for future actions and partnerships. I applaud the decision of the ACP Council of Ministers to establish a SIDS Forum within our ACP structure.

“This is a clear demonstration of our unity and solidarity to address the challenges of all members of our ACP family.”

Climate funding fundamental
He also stressed that climate funding was fundamental in the fight against the adverse effects of climate change in Pacific communities and announced that Samoa would host the Green Climate Funding Board.

“There are still numerous hurdles to accessing financial funding. I am happy to announce that Samoa is bringing home the December meeting of the Green Climate fund Board so that they can experience first-hand what the impacts are on small islands developing states.”

Malielelgaoi called on the ACP group of countries to work together to strengthen their resilience to climate change among other “exogenous shocks” through a collective effort to implement the sustainable development goals.

“The sustainable development goals are the road map to our future. The ACP group must learn from each other. Share lessons learnt and best practices and where ever possible execute these responsibilities through south-south and triangular cooperation.”

AsiaPacificReport.nz

Digicel Asia-Pacific, a digital communications leader in developing markets, has joined the Business Call to Action (BCtA) with a commitment to make digital communications, solar power and data services more available in Papua New Guinea’s most remote areas.

The company aims to extend 3G coverage to more than 80 percent of the population by 2020 and expand mobile penetration to 60 percent of the addressable population.

Working with both local and international partners, Digicel has committed to expand the use of solar power solutions for households across PNG.

The BCtA is a global initiative that aims to support private sector efforts to fight poverty through its core business. It is supported by several international organisations and hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

“Our project has two key objectives. To expand our network and data services in Papua New Guinea, meaning more people living in remote areas will gain access to reliable telecommunications,” says Michael Murphy, chief executive officer of Digicel Asia-Pacific.

“Secondly, by working with local and international partners, we aim to see the the use of solar power increase dramatically to areas where access to electricity for recharging is limited. This will help even the most isolated communities to enter the digital age.”

The company has already invested more than US$800 million in Papua New Guinea, providing world-class telecommunications and IT services across the country.

Narrowing Digital Divide
Digicel’s inclusive business model aims to significantly narrow the “Digital Divide” between Papua New Guinea’s urban and rural areas, fostering state-of-the-art communications between the country’s remote regions and the rest of the world.

With a population of 7.3 million, Papua New Guinea is the largest economy among developing countries in the Pacific region, yet has low telecommunication penetration rates compared to other Pacific island countries.

The island country’s rough terrain and lack of infrastructure effectively isolate the 85 percent of its people who live outside cities.

Following many years of inefficient coverage, Papua New Guinea’s government reformed the IT sector in 2005, opening the door for private entrepreneurship.

Since its founding in 2007, Digicel has become the country’s largest mobile operator by increasing mobile penetration among rural areas that previously lacked basic telecom infrastructure, and offering affordable products and services to low-income communities.

However, Digicel recognises that its expanding network has limited value without access to affordable power for recharging communication devices.

To date, approximately only 10 percent of the total households in Papua New Guinea are connected to the national electricity grid.

Solar power access
Access to solar power would not only facilitate greater connectivity: it will enable millions of people to cost-effectively and efficiently cook and light their homes, allow children to study after dark and spur economic development.

Solar power also reduces indoor air pollution and mitigates the risk of fires started by kerosene lamps, candles and wood burning.

Furthermore, it will allow more people to keep their devices charged, giving them greater access to communication and information via voice, SMS and data services.

“Digicel’s communication initiative is a prime example how an inclusive business can bridge the economic divide between rural and urban areas, and fuel developing economies”, says Paula Pelaez, programme manager of the BCtA.

“We welcome this initiative which not only opens rural people’s access to communications, but has the potential to foster education, expand livelihoods and promote greater participation in society.”

As part of its BCtA commitment, the company has extended an invitation for investors, government and development partners in the region to partner in implementing its inclusive business model.

Digicel’s news website Loop PNG

AsiaPacificReport.nz

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is outraged by Philippine President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s comment that corrupt journalists are legitimate murder targets and urges the Philippine media to boycott his press conferences until he issues a formal, public apology.

RSF also calls for legal action against Duterte.

Duterte made his comments about journalists at a news conference he gave on Tuesday in the southern city of Davao (where he is mayor) to announce his future cabinet. He is due to take office as president on June 30.

Asked what he would do to combat impunity for crimes of violence against journalists (the Philippines being one of the world’s 10 deadliest countries for media personnel), Duterte replied: “Just because you’re a journalist you are not exempted from assassination, if you’re a son of a bitch.”

Referring to corrupt journalists, he added: “Most of those killed, to be frank, have done something. You won’t be killed if you don’t do anything wrong.”

He also said that people who defame are not protected by the constitution from violent repercussions.

“Not only are these statements unworthy of a president but they could also be regarded as violations of the law on defamation or even the law on inciting hatred and violence,” said Benjamin Ismaïl, the head of RSF’s Asia-Pacific desk.

‘Violent repercussions’
“Duterte should nonetheless be pleased by the existence of these laws because without them he would also be exposed to violent repercussions, according to his own words.

“We urge organisations that represent the media to not overlook comments of this kind and to bring lawsuits. We also urge the media to boycott the Duterte administration’s news conferences until the media community gets a public apology.”

Elected president by a big majority on May 9, Duterte is known for his provocative comments.

In Davao City, he allegedly ran “death squads” (private militias) implicated in the execution-style murders of a more than 1000 presumed “criminals” from 1998 to 2008.

Seven journalists were murdered in the Philippines in 2015 although, as a result of the prevailing impunity for crimes of violence against media personnel, it has only been possible to establish in three of the cases that the victims were killed in connection with their journalistic activity.

Respect for media freedom declined in 2015 in the Philippines, which is ranked 138th out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2016 World Press Freedom Index.

AsiaPacificReport.nz

By Nasik Swami in Suva

The Fiji government has no say in the Adopt a School programme by donor countries, Parliament has been told in response to opposition criticism over Indonesian soldiers being involved in the rebuilding of a local school.

Education Minister Dr Mahendra Reddy told Parliament this following a supplementary question by Opposition MP Roko Tupou Draunidalo about why the reconstruction of Queen Victoria School was not given to the British government since the school had been named after Queen Victoria.

Roko Tupou asked Dr Reddy on Tuesday why the reconstruction work was given to the Indonesian government as the country was allegedly responsible for genocide in West Papua.

“How much are these 20 pieces of silver help to seal your government’s mouth on the issue of genocide in West Papua and why has the government not sought assistance from other governments like the British government if it required, or a Commonwealth country to build a school named after Queen Victoria,” she asked.

In response, Dr Reddy said the question was totally irrelevant.

‘Open to anyone’
“Madam Speaker, totally irrelevant question but I just want to say that the Adopt a School programme is open to anyone,” he said.

“Anyone can go to the homepage, get to the site and express their interest to take up a particular school like the Chinese students did last week – they took Yasawa High School, Australians, and they have taken 26 schools, New Zealand and government of Japan.”

Dr Reddy also told Parliament that the reconstruction work at QVS would be completed by August.

“Apart from the adversities, Cyclone Winston has also provided us opportunities to, in this case, construct, replace old, aging infrastructure.

“At the moment we have got 30 Indonesian army engineers on the site and 15 Republic of Fiji Military Force (RFMF) engineers there as well, travelling daily to the site.”

Nasik Swami is a Fiji Times reporter.

AsiaPacificReport.nz

The movement of soldiers have raised concerns from PNG parliamentarians about why soldiers have been moved there.

Oro Governor Garry Juffa raised this in Parliament yesterday, asking the Defence Minister Fabian Pok whether he was aware of the movement.

“The continuous build-up of military presence in that province should concern Papua New Guinea. Yet we don’t seem to have any knowledge of what is going on there,” says Juffa.

However, Pok in response told Parliament that Indonesia had been a good friend of PNG and those movements must not be seen as a threat to PNG people.

He said PNG must be considered a lucky country in a sense that PNG shared common borders with two of the “most powerful countries”, Indonesia and Australia.

Pok said he had had meetings frequently with defence ministers from both countries and had never seen them as enemies but as friends.

He said it was Indonesia’s “internal problems” that moved the military personnel closer to the border.

“We really don’t have issues with Indonesia regarding security at the border.”

Freddy Mou is news editor of Loop PNG.

AsiaPacificReport.nz

The interim injunction yesterday seeking the stay of this order has also been further extended until the matter returns for a directions hearing on June 22.

Justice Collin Makail, however, rejected the SRC’s application for judicial review of the UPNG Council’s decision to deploy police to the campus.

He maintained that the invitation of police to the campus was done to maintain law and order and if students had any concerns about police behaviour on campus, there were avenues available for students to take these concerns up to.

He also rejected the application on grounds that a separate case based on human rights violations was also before the National Court.

In granting leave to the SRC, Makail was satisfied that the student body had sufficient interest in this case as it affected their welfare on campus and that it had the necessary standing to file this case on behalf of students.

The university’s counsel argued that the notice to vacate within 48 hours was sufficient and had been done to give time to the university Senate to meet and restructure the semester and its programmes.

Vacated campus
UPNG registrar Jennifer Popat, in her affidavit, claimed by 6:00pm on May 26, almost three-quarters of the student population had already vacated the campus.

Justice Makail however demanded evidence of head count to verify this and further asked the university’s counsel to provide evidence of a repatriation plan after the 48 hours was over.

The defendants failed to show how their client would have repatriated the students back to their places of origin.

The judge found that the 48 hours was insufficient and granted leave to the Student Representative Council.

Ruth Rungula is a reporter with Loop PNG.

AsiaPacificReport.nz

East New Britain Students Association members from the University of Papua New Guinea were are calling on Prime Minster Peter O’Neill to step down and face allegations against him. NBCTV News video.

While university students in Papua New Guinea have continued their national political “awareness” campaign into the fifth week, a blockade of a campus across the Indonesian border in Papua has prompted staff to go on strike.

The blockading of the campus of Cenderawasih University in Waena, Abepura Jayapura, Papua, from Monday to Thursday by its students has resulted in a strike by its 615 lecturers and 321 administrative employees, The Jakarta Post reports.

“The strike is a protest against the students who have been frequently blocking the campus,” said university rector Onesimus Sahuleka on Friday, explaining that the students had been blockading the campus at least twice a month.

Onesimus welcomed students’ aspirations but encouraged them not to express them by disturbing the teaching and learning activities at the campus.

The blockading of the campus was held to demand that the campus prolong the enrolment period and to give 80 percent of its available seats to Papuans.

“I cannot extend the enrolment period because the registration was conducted online and nationwide,” Onesimus said.

He added that the university had also been prioritising Papuans.

Lecturer’s car stoned
Last year, he said, of the new students accepted, 79 percent were Papuans and the remaining 21 percent were “outsiders”.

During the protest on Thursday, a lecturer, John Kawatu, of the university’s school of teacher training (FKIP) was injured as protesters pelted his car with stones.

In Papua New Guinea, 18 students were arrested in Wewak at the weekend over a peaceful “awareness” programme.

Students in PNG are calling on Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to stand down and face a police investigation into corruption allegations.

AsiaPacificReport.nz

He said such arrests and detentions was uncalled for in a democratic country like PNG –  it was unlawful and might lead to chaos in the country.

“Students shouldn’t be locked up in prison,” he said.

Polye said the students were practising their right to do “awareness” sessions and to inform their parents and the people of the nation about issues affecting the country.

“For the police to lock them up in cells is uncalled for and morally wrong,” he said.

Polye has called on Police Commissioner Gari Baki to direct his police commander in Wewak to release the students.

‘High profile’
Meanwhile, a former attorney-general and Sinasina-Yonggomugl MP, Kerenga Kua, said: “In my village, we see university students as high profile people so I query whether the police commissioner has got all these students in Wewak cell properly checked and vetted down at Konedobu, through the high profile committee, which has been set up when they were arrested.

“Otherwise, this is more proof that everything has been designed politically for political convenience just to uphold one man.

“That is what it is. The police are no longer independent and impartial. I might be wrong so prove it to me tomorrow,” Kua said.

He also called on the police to release the students and disband the vetting committee.

It was reported that the Wewak Police had intercepted the East Sepik university students who were heading into town to hold a public awareness forum.

The planned awareness was supposed to be staged at the town market area at 10am.

Boycott explanation
The awareness was to explain why they were boycotting classes and why Prime Minister Peter O’Neill should step aside.

Speaking exclusively to Loop PNG from the Wewak police station cells at Caltex, East Sepik Tertiary Student Union president Newton Savi said 18 students were now in custody with some parents.

These students are from the University of Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby and University of Technology in Lae.

Freddy Mou is news director of Loop PNG.

AsiaPacificReport.nz

Octovianus Mote, secretary-general of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, says he has been refused entry to Papua New Guinea without any reason being given.

“I was not presented with any written explanation, I was just told it was an ‘order from the top’,” he said in a statement today.

“Although I am seeking clarification about why I was denied entry, I accept this decision of the sovereign nation of Papua New Guinea.”

He said he was “treated very respectfully as a wantok [one talk – speaker of the same language]” by Immigration and he stressed he was not deported.

This is the second time a leader from the ULMWP has been refused entry to Papua New Guinea.

Benny Wenda has been twice refused entry, most recently last year when he attempted to lobby the Papua New Guinea government.

Mote, who has a United States passport, was travelling to Papua New Guinea as a guest of the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu governments. He has been to PNG many times previously with a problem.

ACP meeting
“I was invited to assist both delegations with various resolutions they planned to table at the African Caribbean Pacific meeting of the European Union, which is being held in Port Morseby,” Mote said.

“I would like to express my thanks to the MSG countries for their ongoing support of West Papua.

“I look forward to the forthcoming MSG Leaders’ Summit to clarify all matters relating to ULMWP’s application for full membership.

“I wish to extend my gratitude to the people of Papua New Guinea for their ongoing support. I look forward to a clearer and better understanding of Papua New Guinea’s position on West Papua.”

However, critics say that both Fiji and Papua New Guinea are more supportive to the Indonesian position on West Papua, while the Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, Vanuatu and Kanaky members of MSG back the Papuans.

There was no immediate comment from the PNG government.

AsiaPacificReport.nz

By Carmella Gware in Lae

University students carrying out awareness in the Highlands region of Papua New Guinea have received overwhelming support from the rural population.

The University of Technology’s Student Representative Council (SRC) deputy chairman and Eastern Highlands student leader Livingstone Fontenu, said that about 4000 people turned up at their first forum at Goroka last week.

About 5000 students were evicted from the campus of the University of Papua New Guinea last week, although the students have filed a challenge in the National Court. Students throughout Papua New Guinea have been calling on Prime Minister Peter O”Neill to step down and face corruption allegations.

“A handful of policemen and provincial government workers, who had children in universities, came and told us to go ahead with the [Goroka] forum,” Fontenu said.

“The public made a contribution of K1840 to us that day.”

The next day (Thursday), they travelled to Henganofi to conduct their awareness on the current issue that PNG is facing with its economy, including the call for the prime minister to step aside and clear his name.

“Around 900 people were present to listen to us,” said the student leader. “Henganofi contributed K470 to us.

Raining but big support
“We drove to Kainantu and had the last forum at around 2pm. It was raining but the support was overwhelming.

“They contributed around K1200 and gave it to us.”

Other universities
Unitech was accompanied by representatives from the University of Papua New Guinea and the University of Goroka.

The students have so far campaigned in Madang, Morobe, East Sepik and the Highlands region, except for Hela Province. This is because the province is still mourning the loss of late governor Anderson Agiru.

The Eastern Highlands police warned the students from carrying out awareness or protests in the province due to the death of UOG acting vice-chancellor Dr John Kola.

“However, we all knew that this is a national issue so since there was no time to lose, we went ahead to stage the awareness,” Fontenu said.

Police are reportedly looking for the student “ringleaders”.

“We are waiting for them (police) to come arrest us here.

“We received independence on a golden plate, no one shed blood for this country. No one understands what it means to be free, no one cares and respects its sovereignty.

“We are more than ready to take a bullet for the love of our motherland.”

AsiaPacificReport.nz

Despite being one of New Zealand’s most successful foreign and war correspondents, Diana Goodman is far from a household name in her home country

But she has finally been given the recognition she deserves.

Massey University presented Dr Goodman with an honorary doctorate at its Wellington graduation ceremony this week in recognition of her achievements as a reporter and as a trailblazer for women in the world of journalism.

Her achievements include being the BBC’s first female foreign correspondent, the first woman to run one of the BBC’s foreign bureaux and the first mother to be sent on an overseas posting.

During her foreign postings, she covered nearly two decades of historic change – including conflicts in Lebanon, Libya and Romania, the reunification of Germany, post-Communist Eastern Europe and the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

“I’m enormously chuffed, as they would say in Britain,” she says. “It is wonderful to get the recognition because people are not always interested in hearing about what you have done in your life before.”

On Radio NZ’s Sunday programme yesterday, she joined Wallace Chapman to talk about her career and gave her perspective on the challenges that Europe faces now and in the future.

AsiaPacificReport.nz

By Prashanth Parameswaran of The Diplomat

A local Indonesian shipbuilder has formed a formal working group with a French company to explore Jakarta’s submarine requirements in what could be a further sign of the country’s interest, according to IHS Jane’s citing industry sources.

IHS Jane’s reports that Indonesian shipbuilder PT PAL has been in a formal working group with French firm DCNS under a government-to-government framework between France and Indonesia since March. The group includes representatives from the public and private sectors.

Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelagic state, currently only has two German-built Type 209 submarines, even though defence officials say Jakarta needs at least 12 submarines by 2024 to police its waters.

Indonesia has been mulling a new submarine purchase, and DCNS has been wooing Jakarta by both offering the new French-built Scorpene 1000 diesel-electric submarine as well as a combat system to repair and overhaul Indonesia’s existing German submarines.

Last October, DCNS revealed at the 2015 Pacific International Maritime Exhibition in Sydney that Indonesia and France had entered government-to-government talks.

The report of a new, formal working group suggests that Indonesia still has not dismissed these offers entirely. Indeed, IHS Jane’s quotes an industry source as saying that the working group is exploring various issues including the need for a multipurpose submarine that can operate in both deep and shallow waters, with its work being concluded in about a year.

Shallow waters
DCNS has repeatedly pointed out to the Indonesian government that the Scorpene 1000 is suitable for the country because most of its waters are shallow.

It is unclear how exactly this working group will affect Indonesia’s existing submarine plans. Indonesia already has ordered three South Korean submarines back in 2012 that are expected to arrive in 2017.

Jakarta had also previously indicated that it would procure two Kilo-class submarines from Russia, though there have been no reports thus far about the finalisation of a deal.

Indonesia’s neighbor Malaysia already has a pair of Scorpene-class submarines from France. DCNS also recently won the bid to build Australia’s new submarine fleet.

Prashanth Parameswaran is an associate editor of The Diplomat where this article was first published.

AsiaPacificReport.nz

By Dr Tarcisius Tara Kabutaulaka in Honolulu, Hawai’i

Late last week, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement rejecting the Solomon Islands Prime Minister’s comments on the issue of West Papua and the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

In his statement, Manasseh Sogavare proposes that the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) be given full membership to the MSG.

He asserts that the Indonesian President’s refusal to meet him, as chair of the MSG, demonstrates that Jakarta joined the MSG merely to “protect its own interest other than engage in dialogue about the serious human rights issues in West Papua.”

In response, Indonesia’s newly appointed Director General for Asia Pacific and Africa, Ambassador Desra Percaya, described Sogavare’s statement as a violation of “the basic principles of sovereignty and non-interference as enshrined in the Agreement Establishing the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) in 2007.”

He went on to say, “it is… myopic for Prime Minister Sogavare to speculate that Indonesia’s agenda in the Pacific, let alone in the MSG, is solely Papua-driven.”

While I respect Indonesia’s right to respond, it is vital that Melanesian and other Pacific Island countries do not allow Jakarta to dictate what we believe, say and do, especially when it comes to the defence of human rights.

Persistent violations
Indonesia has persistently committed human rights violations, including atrocities, against Melanesians in West Papua for over 50 years. That is not a myth. It is the truth. It has been verified and documented by international human rights organisations such as Amnesty International and other independent bodies.

For Indonesia to say that it is “long committed to address human rights issues,” is misleading and an attempt to deflect attention from realities on the ground in West Papua.

Indonesia, plus international organisations such as the United Nations, as well as the governments of countries like the US, Australia, Great Britain, the Netherlands, etc. must correct the mistakes of the 1960s; the fraudulent processes that led to the transfer of West Papua’s sovereignty from the Dutch to Indonesia.

History is relevant to this discussion. As Australian academic, Jason MacLeod, states,

“Continued rule by the Indonesian government in West Papua is founded on the myth that the transfer of sovereignty from the Netherlands to the Unitary Republic of Indonesia was free and fair. It was not.

“Events surrounding the transfer of sovereignty remain a core Papuan grievance. This grievance is not just historical. It has a contemporary dimension. The lack of willingness to discuss history contributes to the Papuan perception that there has been a ‘death of democracy’ in West Papua.”

The international community needs to correct the wrongs of the past and hold Indonesia accountable for its continuing human rights violations. This is central to the injustices that have deprived indigenous West Papuans their right to self-determination.

Indonesian’s Melanesia claims
In an effort to rebuttal the growing support for West Papuan independence, Jakarta is re-inventing and re-presenting itself as a Melanesian and Pacific Islands country. Through subtle — and sometimes not so subtle — use of language, it writes itself in as part of Oceania.

The statement released by Indonesia last week, for example, states that, “as part of the Pacific, Indonesia developed partnerships with several key countries in the region to ensure that the bilateral ties are strong and productive.”

Most Pacific Islanders, however, would not think of Indonesia as “part of the Pacific.” It is not part of our “imagined community,” or to borrow from the late Epeli Hau’ofa, “our sea of islands.”

This re-presentation is also obvious in Indonesia’s attempts to forge itself as a Melanesian country. It argues it should become a member of the MSG by virtue of having ethic Melanesians as citizens. To increase its “Melanesian population,” it includes Maluku and the nearby islands as part of its “Melanesian Provinces.”

In these diplomatic maneuverings, Jakarta is stretching the boundaries and definitions of Melanesia and Pacific Islands to suit its political, economic and strategic agendas. It deploys identities, albeit misconceived, as a political tool of inclusiveness.

What the Indonesian government conveniently erases from this narrative is that Melanesian West Papuans make up for only 0.67 percent of Indonesia’s total population of over 260 million people. The Melanesians are also the most discriminated against: they have been murdered, oppressed, abused and marginalised in their own land.

Furthermore, it is predicted by 2020, Melanesians will make up for only 28.99 percent of the total population of West Papua. The rest will be Malays from densely populated islands such as Java. This is part of a concerted effort by Jakarta to assimilate West Papua into Indonesia.

Political tool
As part of this strategy, Jakarta has used population census as a political tool. While the 1971 and 2000 population censuses made a distinction between Papuans (Melanesians) and non-Papuans, the 2010 census did not make that distinction, enumerating everybody as “West Papuans”. Melanesians will eventually be absorbed as “Indonesians,” continuing Sukarno’s policy of building a unitary republic.

Interestingly, Jakarta peddles the story that it is “the third largest democracy, [and therefore] respect for human rights is an essential principle for Indonesia.”

The sub-text here is that size — the third largest democracy — warrants a commitment to human rights principles. Of course, that is not necessarily true. Also, the invoking of size is meant (either intentionally or unintentionally) to intimidate.

But Pacific Island countries should not be intimidated. We might be small and imperfect democracies, but we compensate that with huge principles that uphold human rights.

Furthermore, in its statement, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs flaunts the issue of sovereignty to counter what it views as the Solomon Islands PM’s infringement into its national affairs; West Papua is a national issue.

But it is worth noting that sovereignty is not absolute, especially when a country has perpetrated human rights abuses for over 50 years. The international community must not allow the Indonesian government to use sovereignty as an excuse for continuing human rights violations in West Papua.

Another twist to this story is that although West Papua contributes significantly to Indonesia’s economy, it is the province with lowest development index.

Economic marginalisation
Between 1992 to 2011, for example, the Grasberg Mine, owned by the US company, Freeport-McMoran Inc., made direct payments to the Indonesian government totaling US$12.1 billion. This is made up of $7.3 billion in corporate income tax; $2.3 billion in employee income tax, regional tax and other levies; $1.2 billion in royalties and $1.2 billion in dividends.

Indigenous West Papuans have been economically marginalized and have not benefited equitably from the mine and other natural resource investments.

Given the above, I support the Solomon Islands government on this issue. We might be a small country, but we must not let Indonesia bully us.

Contrary to the statement by Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Solomon Islands Prime Minister’s statement is not “myopic.” Rather, it reflects an understanding of issues far into the past and well into future. It is the Indonesian government that is myopic in its treatment of this issue and of Melanesians.

Mannaseh Sogavare and the Solomon Islands Government, you have my support. Don’t let Indonesia bully us. Vote Indonesia out of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). Indonesia is not Melanesia.

Dr Tarcisius Tara Kabutaulaka is a Solomon Islands academic. This article was first published in the Solomon Star.

AsiaPacificReport.nz

By Tama Salim in Dili

Just 14 years into independence, Timor-Leste has secured membership of a number of international forums, declaring its intent to catch up with the rest of the developing world.

Now, through its shared history with Indonesia, the world’s second-youngest nation is eyeing full ASEAN membership, as it seeks to identify with a region poised to become “the powerhouse of the 21st century”, said Timor-Leste’s deputy foreign affairs and cooperation minister, Roberto Sarmento de Oliveira Soares.

“Timor-Leste […] has manifested its desire to be part of ASEAN since the very beginning of our inception in 2002. And that desire, the commitment of Timor Leste, has always been raised in numerous meetings, forums in the region and beyond, and at the bilateral level,” he said.

Timor-Leste officially submitted its application letter to be considered an ASEAN member in 2011, during Indonesia’s chairmanship.

“Our application was overwhelmingly welcomed and supported by Indonesia, and of course, through the Indonesian chairmanship, then president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono successfully secured all the endorsements and acceptances from all ASEAN member countries to officially endorse Timor-Leste’s membership, by establishing two important mechanisms to assess [our] readiness.”

Soares said the mechanisms were the ASEAN Coordinating Council and the technical or working level, which were mandated to assess Timor-Leste’s readiness covering all three important pillars: the political and security, the economic and the sociocultural pillars.

“All three pillars [have undergone] assessment, […] so now we are basically waiting for the ASEAN side […] to make a final decision about our accession,” he said.

Foreign policy priority
With regard to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s commitment, Soares said Timor-Leste was very much grateful.

“Indeed, during his visit to Timor-Leste, [the President] continued to reiterate the strong commitment of Indonesia and he will do whatever he can in his capacity […] to push for our accession to ASEAN.”

“ASEAN very much lies on Timor-Leste’s foreign policy priority; our desire to be part of ASEAN is indeed to further […] safeguard our own regional identity, because we are one of the only countries in Southeast Asia that does not yet belong to any regional organisation.”

Soares credited ASEAN as a unique and dynamic regional organisation.

“At the time when ASEAN established itself, it was mainly focused on political peace and stability. But a few decades later, ASEAN expanded on its concentration by looking beyond political stability, into what is the most important [aspect] in our globalised world today: economic integration and competitiveness,” he said.

“Being part of ASEAN will further safeguard Timor-Leste’s own independence and sovereignty, and of course, peace and stability in our region.”

On the other hand, Soares said Timor-Leste could also be a bridge between ASEAN and the Pacific.

“At the same time, Timor-Leste can also contribute beyond Asia Pacific through [its] own linkages and partners,” he emphasised.

Soares pointed to the fact that Timor-Leste could connect ASEAN with the community of Portuguese-speaking countries, the CPLP, which are located in Africa, Europe and Latin America.

AsiaPacificReport.nz

Students from the University of Papua New Guinea – many already having left the campus after this week’s eviction order from the administration – are now taking their campaign for Prime Minster Peter O’Neill to step aside from office to provinces. Here in this NBC News video by Priscilla Waikaidi students are campaigning in Alotau.

By Jack Lapauve Jr in Port Moresby

Papua New Guinea’s National Parliamentary Opposition is rallying in an attempt to overthrow the current government led by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

Opposition leader Don Polye said the student unrest and political turmoil in the current administration was a sign that a change was needed in the leadership of the country.

Opposition members made their stance this week in a news conference in Port Moresby.

Two days after being reinstated as the Member for Kandep, Polye said it was time a new leadership took over through a vote of no confidence.

“We are intact and ready to change the current government,” Polye said.

Polye made a critical analysis of the state of economy, its effects on the value of the kina, and the pressure business houses and people have been experiencing over the past 3 months.

OnTuesday, the doors of Parliament will open for the May sitting – an opportunity the Opposition will take to make their move through a vote of no confidence.

Bulolo MP and Deputy Opposition leader Sam Basil said the current events in the country clearly indicated a need for a change of government.

Over the past two weeks, the Opposition numbers have slowly increased.

Recent moves have seen Kerema MP Richard Mendani and former Attorney-General and Sinasina Yongomugl MP Kerenga Kua, joining the Opposition.

Jack Lapauve Jr is an EMTV News reporter.

AsiaPacificReport.nz

By TJ Aumua in Auckland

New Zealanders need to catch up with reality about the country’s trade partners in the South-East Asia region, says an ambassador.

Speaking to the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) NZ Business Council today, New Zealand Ambassador to Viet Nam Haike Manning said it was important for ASEAN members to work together to change outdated perspectives of potential business in the region.

“What I find in general is that a lot of perceptions about Viet Nam in New Zealand lags behind the reality of the country,” he told council members.

New Zealand’s Heads of Mission from ASEAN country members met at an Auckland University of Technology breakfast to update each other on recent developments.

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“Yesterday I took a screenshot of an article that said, ‘Could Viet Nam become the next Silicon Valley’, and I think it’s a really interesting and provocative proposition,” Manning said.

“What we are certainly seeing is the rapid emergence in Viet Nam of a knowledge economy, we are seeing a rapid emergence of Viet Nam has a high-tech place.”

‘Academic freedom’
In an interview with Pacific Media Watch, Manning said that as part of Viet Nam’s step towards a growing knowledge economy, the country is working on establishing its very first university to have academic freedom.

“I think in Viet Nam it’s pretty well understood that the public education system cannot properly deliver all the needs for its people and that’s why we see a lot of Vietnamese students coming to New Zealand,” Manning said.

“But something’s got to happen inside the country as well in terms of supplying the public education system.”

“It’s a brave step by the Vietnamese government to give this freedom.”

The New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines, David Strachan, also spoke at the event, saying New Zealanders needed to understand the Philippines was a great business and trading hub.

His speech also highlighted the controversy around Philippines President-elect, Rodrigo Duterte, who has become known for his hate speech and approval of increased death squads to reduce crime.

But he noted that the Philippines had been the top performing economy in recent years and he expected Duterte’s decisive leadership would be good for New Zealanders doing business with the country.

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Prime Minister Charlot Salwai, Foreign Affairs Minister Bruno Leingkone and Education Minister Jean-Pierre Nirua have visited Noumea within the framework of the regional cooperation agreement aiming to strengthen links between New Caledonia and Vanuatu.

Alain du Boispean, the French Ambassador to Vanuatu, Vincent Bouvier, the High Commissioner of the French Republic in New Caledonia, and Philippe Germain, the President of the government of New Caledonia attended the joint committee meeting, which is the decision-making body set up under the regional cooperation agreement.

For the first time in its 14 years of existence, French was the working language of the committee.

A call for projects this year was launched from February 29 to April 8  and a total of 51 projects were received and reviewed during the technical committee meeting in Noumea on May 18.

This year the Prime Minister of Vanuatu is giving priority to education, francophone relations and training.

Nine projects were retained during the joint committee on May 20 with a total budget of 36.5 million vatu.

This programme is financed by the government of New Caledonia and by France under the Pacific Funds.

Chosen projects
The chosen projects are being distributed as below:

• 40 percent of credits will go to scholarships for students in AES Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree

• 25 percent to university and scientific projects

• 18 percent to cultural exchanges and francophone activities

• 17 percent to teachers’ training and to the improvement of digital technology in education

The joint committee provided an opportunity for both New Caledonia and Vanuatu to consider an ambitious strategy for closer relation and further cooperation, with the aim to engage in a comprehensive partnership.

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Jemima Garrett reporting for Pacific Beat

Journalists, lawyers and corruption-fighters are sounding the alarm as one of the Pacific’s most comprehensive online databases faces an uncertain funding future.

Paclii, based at the University of the South Pacific, gives anyone with an internet connection access to a treasure trove of Pacific Island legal documents and court decisions.

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GARRETT: Paclii gives free online access to the constitutions and laws of every Pacific country as well as to court decisions, leadership commission rulings and other documents.

It is an essential resource for Pacific governments, international organisations, businesses, NGOs and citizens.

Lawrence Stephens is chairperson of the PNG chapter of Transparency International.

STEPHENS: Paclii has been a great gift to people of the Pacific and it really is important that more people have access to the laws of their country so more people can understand what their rights are.

GARRETT: Before Paclii existed people seeking information on the laws of their country had to travel to a major city to visit a library.

Now corruption-fighters like Lawrence Stephens can get access to court decisions and documents from any Pacific nation.

STEPHENS: We are interested to see what happens in [the] Solomon [Islands] and it is an opportunity provided to us to be able to check their laws. Another particularly interesting one was when Vanuatu placed so many members of parliament in the prison and the way in which that happened and so that became of particular interest to people in other countries and it is good to be able to check the laws and to understand exactly how things are handled.

GARRETT: Timely information is vital, especially for journalists who have to explain complex court decisions to their audiences.

Professor David Robie Director of the Pacific Media Centre at the Auckland University of Technology says Paclii is a Pacific success story.

After more big cuts to aid in the Australian budget earlier this month, Pacific lawyers and human rights advocates became concerned that Australian-funding for Paclii might be axed as soon as the end of June.

David Robie says if Paclii is cut there are stories Pacific audiences might not hear.

ROBIE: All the stories at the moment running in Papua New Guinea; the legal subterfuge which is going on with the political upheavals at the moment, all these sorts of stories need the legal documentation and backgrounding that journalists have to rely on something like Paclii to provide those sorts of basic information

GARRETT: Australia’s Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has issued a statement saying Paclii’s funding has NOT been cut.

The University of the South Pacific’s Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Derrick Armstrong says Paclii is crucially important to the region.

ARMSTRONG: The simple situation is that the University of the South Pacific is going to continue to support Paclii. It is very crucially important to the region and we have always been a keen supporter of it so we want to seek ways of ensuring that it continues to thrive and provide the services that it does.

GARRETT: Julie Bishop says the funding has NOT been cut but perhaps ominously, when dfat is the main funder, added that ‘no decision has been made’. What do you take from that?

ARMSTRONG: Well, the funding hasn’t been cut. The funding has come to its natural end. It is a project funded by Dfat and it has come to an end, or will do later this year, and that is the course of all projects funded by development agencies.

GARRETT: Pacilii’s project funding runs to the 31st of December.

Australia could renew its funding.

If not, USP will seek donations from users to keep the service operating and pay its 12 members of staff.

David Robie thinks a donation model of funding is unlikely to allow Paclii to maintain its quality.

ROBIE: I think that would be extremely, extremely. difficult. It has set such a high benchmark now and it has been improving every year to match that. I think it would be a rather uncertain future. It would be a pity for such a valuable resource for the region to be given an uncertain future.

Jemima Garrett is a Radio Australia journalist specialising in Pacific Island affairs. This report is republished with permission.

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