CoveragePost
July 1, 2025
Asia Pacific Report The NGO Coalition on Human Rights in Fiji (NGOCHR) has called on Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka as the new chair of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) to “uphold justice, stability and security” for Kanaky New Caledonia and West Papua. In a statement today after last week’s MSG leaders’ summit in Suva, the ... <a title="Fiji human rights coalition challenges Rabuka over decolonisation ‘unfinished business’" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2025/07/01/fiji-human-rights-coalition-challenges-rabuka-over-decolonisation-unfinished-business/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji human rights coalition challenges Rabuka over decolonisation ‘unfinished business’">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
September 11, 2023
RNZ Pacific Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has backtracked on his comments that PNG had “no right to comment” on human rights abuses in West Papua and has offered a clarification to “clear misconceptions and apprehension”. Last week, Marape met Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the sidelines of the 43rd ASEAN summit in ... <a title="PNG leader Marape denies Papua human rights comments were his" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/09/11/png-leader-marape-denies-papua-human-rights-comments-were-his/" aria-label="Read more about PNG leader Marape denies Papua human rights comments were his">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
September 8, 2023
RNZ Pacific Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has told Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo that PNG has no right to criticise Jakarta over what he calls alleged human rights abuses in West Papua. The two leaders spoke on the sidelines of the ASEAN summit in Jakarta, reaffirming commitments to maintain dialogue to build stronger ... <a title="Marape claims PNG has ‘no right’ to criticise abuses in West Papua" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/09/08/marape-claims-png-has-no-right-to-criticise-abuses-in-west-papua/" aria-label="Read more about Marape claims PNG has ‘no right’ to criticise abuses in West Papua">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 29, 2023
Asia Pacific Report In spite of again being denied full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) has welcomed the call from the MSG Leaders’ Summit in Port Vila last week for Indonesia to allow the long-awaited visit of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to West ... <a title="Wenda welcomes MSG call for UN visit and fights on for full membership" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/29/wenda-welcomes-msg-call-for-un-visit-and-fights-on-for-full-membership/" aria-label="Read more about Wenda welcomes MSG call for UN visit and fights on for full membership">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 28, 2023
Asia Pacific Report The United Liberation Movement for West Papua has responded cautiously over the Melanesian Spearhead Group’s surprise denial of full membership at its leaders summit last week, welcoming the communique while calling for urgent action over Indonesia’s grave human rights violations. In a statement released today by President Benny Wenda after the second ... <a title="Wenda calls on MSG for urgent action to back pledge over human rights" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/28/wenda-calls-on-msg-for-urgent-action-to-back-pledge-over-human-rights/" aria-label="Read more about Wenda calls on MSG for urgent action to back pledge over human rights">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 27, 2023
Asia Pacific Report A West Papuan leader has condemned the Melanesian Spearhead Group for abandoning the West Papuan cause in favour of a “corrupt alliance” with Indonesia. Jeffrey P Bomanak, chairman of the Free Papua Organisation (OPM), declared last week’s MSG Leaders’ Summit ruling on West Papua a “betrayal” of the Papuan people and called ... <a title="OPM accuses Melanesian group of taking Jakarta’s ‘blood money’ at expense of West Papuan justice" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/27/opm-accuses-melanesian-group-of-taking-jakartas-blood-money-at-expense-of-west-papuan-justice/" aria-label="Read more about OPM accuses Melanesian group of taking Jakarta’s ‘blood money’ at expense of West Papuan justice">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 26, 2023
By David Robie, editor of Asia Pacific Report The Melanesian Spearhead Group has thrown away a golden chance for achieving a historical step towards justice and peace in West Papua by lacking the courage to accept the main Papuan self-determination advocacy movement as full members. Membership had been widely expected across the Pacific region and ... <a title="MSG throws away golden chance to reset peace and justice for West Papua" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/26/msg-throws-away-golden-chance-to-reset-peace-and-justice-for-west-papua/" aria-label="Read more about MSG throws away golden chance to reset peace and justice for West Papua">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 25, 2023
By Doddy Morris in Port Vila Melanesian prime ministers have have signed off two declarations addressing the pressing issues of climate crisis and national security. The ceremonial signing took place at the Havannah Resort in North Efate yesterday, marking the culmination of the 22nd Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Leaders’ Summit Retreat. The signatories included host ... <a title="Melanesian leaders sign security and climate crisis declarations" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/25/melanesian-leaders-sign-security-and-climate-crisis-declarations/" aria-label="Read more about Melanesian leaders sign security and climate crisis declarations">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 24, 2023
By Hilaire Bule in Port Vila Benny Wenda, the interim president of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), has welcomed the Melanesian Spearhead Group’s confirmation that its application for full membership would be discussed at the 22nd MSG Leaders’ Summit in Port Vila — but warned it would be a test. Wenda conveyed ... <a title="‘The world is watching’ – it’s a test for Melanesian leaders over West Papua, says Wenda" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/24/the-world-is-watching-its-a-test-for-melanesian-leaders-over-west-papua-says-wenda/" aria-label="Read more about ‘The world is watching’ – it’s a test for Melanesian leaders over West Papua, says Wenda">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 24, 2023
By Doddy Morris in Port Vila The 22nd Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Leaders’ Summit was declared open at the National Convention Centre in Port Vila yesterday with host Prime Minister Ishmael Kalsakau hailing opportunities to “galvanise our efforts as a United Melanesia”. Prime Minister Kalsakau welcomed all the delegations and said how happy and privileged ... <a title="MSG a ‘building block’ for stronger Pacific cooperation, says Kalsakau" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/24/msg-a-building-block-for-stronger-pacific-cooperation-says-kalsakau/" aria-label="Read more about MSG a ‘building block’ for stronger Pacific cooperation, says Kalsakau">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 23, 2023
SPECIAL REPORT: By Yamin Kogoya The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) is like a big house or boat, says Reverend Dr Ambirek G. Socratez Yoman, owned by the people and the nation of West Papua. Upon this big boat rests prayers, hopes, longings, struggles, dreams, and ideals with a profound sense of justice, ... <a title="Yamin Kogoya: Rev Yoman’s message of hope and prayers for the Papuan dream in Vanuatu" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/23/yamin-kogoya-rev-yomans-message-of-hope-and-prayers-for-the-papuan-dream-in-vanuatu/" aria-label="Read more about Yamin Kogoya: Rev Yoman’s message of hope and prayers for the Papuan dream in Vanuatu">Read more</a>
CoveragePost
August 23, 2023
By Kelvin Anthony, RNZ Pacific journalist in Port Vila The leader of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), Benny Wenda, has expressed confidence that the leaders’ meeting in Vanuatu will grant the ULMWP full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group. Wenda is in Port Vila for the 22nd MSG Leaders’ Summit, the first ... <a title="Benny Wenda says dream of MSG full membership ‘will happen’ in Port Vila" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/08/23/benny-wenda-says-dream-of-msg-full-membership-will-happen-in-port-vila/" aria-label="Read more about Benny Wenda says dream of MSG full membership ‘will happen’ in Port Vila">Read more</a>
