Independent Analysis and Reportage
Asia Pacific Report
Asia Pacific Report New Zealand signed an international letter criticising Israel which foreshadows sanctions but a pro-Palestine advocacy group has rapped the government over its “haphazard” and “mixed messages” West Asia policy. The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) cited a “hint of future economic sanctions” against Israel in a statement of concern issued jointly by
Will a global human rights declaration help pave the way for Australian Zomi Frankcom’s Israeli killers to be held accountable for her death? Human rights advocate Shamikh Badra asks at Michael West Media. COMMENTARY: By Shamikh Badra The killing of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom in Gaza in April 2024 has not gone away as
By Teuila Fuatai of RNZ Pacific in Koror, Palau The United States is set to announce a fuel security deal worth US$60 million for the Pacific region, RNZ Pacific understands. Details are yet to be finalised, but RNZ Pacific understands it was discussed at a closed dialogue partners meeting at the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)
By L.N. Reklai in Koror, Palau Pacific Islands Forum leaders are being urged to strengthen regional unity and ensure the Forum remains firmly Pacific-led as member countries work to deliver the goals of the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. Outgoing Forum Chair Solomon Islands and incoming Chair Palau, at the opening ceremony of
Asia Pacific Report The Free Palestine Party was presented at a solidarity rally at the weekend as the new political group contesting the New Zealand general election in November. But the plea was “don’t vote for us” — instead, use the party as a platform pressure the government to honour its obligations under international law
By Kaya Selby of RNZ Pacific New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters has blasted Solomon Islands cabinet ministers who moved against their leader on the eve of the Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau. Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale has been forced home to deal with a motion of no confidence from his
RNZ Pacific reporters Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale’s Government for Reform, Empowerment, Accountability and Transformation (GREAT) coalition appears headed for a major test after three of his most senior ministers formally quit on Monday. This comes after Wale, 57, who was elected to the top job just over 100 days ago, cut short a
Asia Pacific Report An exiled West Papuan leader living in Australia is calling on Oceania leaders at the Pacific Island Forum meeting in Palau this week to condemn growing military violence in the Indonesian-ruled Melanesian region. Paula Makabory, an executive member of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), has also appealed to Melanesian
By Teuila Fuatai of RNZ Pacific in Koror, Palau With the final list of leaders attending the 55th Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting in Palau still unconfirmed, the regional body’s policy hub is moving to emphasise the robustness of potential decisions and outcomes from the week. The annual summit is supposed to bring together
Vanuatu Daily Post The Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) should revisit a proposal for an independent regional delegation to visit West Papua and assess reported human rights concerns, says Vanuatu Special Envoy on Decolonisation and Maritime Boundaries Delimitation Joe Natuman. With the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting (PIFLM) opening today, Natuman said Pacific leaders would
Asia Pacific Report A national pro-Palestine advocacy group has criticised the “absence of signature” by the New Zealand government on a 22-member joint statement condemning the E1 Israeli settlement in the Occupied West Bank as a “moral collapse” in foreign policy. The recent joint statement was issued by the foreign ministers of Australia, Belgium, Canada,
RNZ Pacific reporters Solomon Islands Prime Minister Matthew Wale made an emergency trip back to Honiara on Sunday morning from Palau after a motion of no confidence was filed against him. Wale was in Palau to attend the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting as its current chair. He was suppose to hand over the chairmanship