Independent Analysis and Reportage
By Johnny Blades of RNZ Pacific Indonesia’s government has indicated that a visit by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to West Papua is on track. This comes as Melanesian Sperarhead Group (MSG) countries agreed to push Jakarta to facilitate the visit, after years of apparent inaction. A request for the visit was made
By Lillian Hanly of RNZ Leaders in the Pacific have registered their concern over a nuclear-capable missile test conducted by China in July, calling on all states to provide advance warning ahead of any testing. Nauru – one of the 18 Pacific Island Forum (PIF) members – noted its dissent from the statement. Partners to
By Kaya Selby of RNZ Pacific Sacked Solomon Islands Finance Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo says further resignations from Cabinet are imminent, as Prime Minister Matthew Wale gears up to fight a no-confidence motion. The motion of no confidence is expected to be tabled on Monday, September 7. Lilo — who shares a political party with
Asia Pacific Report Israel has plans ready to forcibly remove Palestinians from the Gaza Strip but is waiting for the United States to figure out where to take them, the Defence Minister has boasted, reports The New Arab and news agencies. Forced displacement of civilians in occupied territory is considered a war crime under the
By Teuila Fuatai of RNZ Pacific in Koror, Palau The Solomon Islands is asking its fellow Pacific Island Forum (PIF) members to reconsider the presence of dialogue partners at the regional body’s annual leaders meeting, RNZ Pacific understands. The issue was raised at a closed meeting of the PIF on Wednesday morning in Palau, with
By Johnny Blades of RNZ Pacific Melanesian countries are pushing Indonesia to facilitate a long-requested visit to West Papua by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights or have its membership in their regional bloc reviewed. A request for the visit was made by Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) countries back in 2019, but it has
COMMENTARY: By Martyn Bradbury, editor and publisher of The Daily Blog This New Zealand general election on November 7 has an enormous amount at stake. If this hard-right coalition government gets re-elected to cement into place 19th Century Settler White Privilege using an anti-Māori, anti-Treaty, anti-beneficiary, anti-worker, anti-renter and anti-environment agenda for their donors interests,…
In a stinging rebuke to the judge, the jury members unanimously acquitted Tony Greenstein after just two hours of deliberation. As it turned out, it was not Greenstein on trial; it was British justice, writes Jonathan Cook. ANALYSIS: By Jonathan Cook The British state rigged the trial of Tony Greenstein, a secular Jewish socialist and
By Coco Lance of RNZ Pacific Authorities in Fiji are offering contradictory accounts of a nationwide effort to remove beggars and street dwellers from public spaces, with questions over warning notices and what support is available for those affected. The agencies involved have been unable to clearly identify what those services are and who is
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
ANALYSIS: By Jacqueline Peel and Wesley Morgan For more than a decade, the world has been trying to limit global warming to 1.5°C. That’s no longer possible, according to a new United Nations report. We will likely pass 1.5°C in 2030. That’s not good news for anyone, least of all Australia and New Zealand’s Pacific