Independent Analysis and Reportage
In this episode political scientist Dr Paul Buchanan and Selwyn Manning examine the strengths and weaknesses of democracy around the world. In particular Paul and Selwyn consider how and why democracy in many countries around the world is on the slide.
The LIVE Recording of A View from Afar podcast will begin at midday Thurs July 20, 2023 (NZST) and Wednesday July 19, 8pm (USEDST). In this the seventh episode of A View from Afar podcast for 2023 political scientist Dr Paul Buchanan and Selwyn Manning will examine the strengths and weaknesses of democracy around the ... <a title="LIVE PODCAST@MIDDAY: How and Why Democracy is Backsliding Around the World – Buchanan and Manning" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/07/19/live-podcastmidday-how-and-why-democracy-is-backsliding-around-the-world-buchanan-and-manning/" aria-label="Read more about LIVE PODCAST@MIDDAY: How and Why Democracy is Backsliding Around the World – Buchanan and Manning">Read more</a>
By Leitu Fereti in Suva The Brown Girl Woke initiative hopes to continue empowering Samoan youth in fighting against the culture of silence over violence. Founder Maluseu Doris Tulifau says it is essential to support young people in finding their voice and speaking out on these issues. Tulifau, 29, launched the non-profit feminist organisation in ... <a title="Samoa’s Brown Girl Woke initiative fights culture of silence on violence" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/07/18/samoas-brown-girl-woke-initiative-fights-culture-of-silence-on-violence/" aria-label="Read more about Samoa’s Brown Girl Woke initiative fights culture of silence on violence">Read more</a>
By Shayal Devi in Suva “Our people are fed up with coups” — this is the message from renowned Fijian academic Professor Steven Ratuva as he reiterated the statement shared by Minister for Home Affairs Pio Tikoduadua earlier this week. Professor Ratuva, director of Canterbury University’s Centre for Pacific Studies in New Zealand, said coups ... <a title="Fijians are ‘fed up’ – no more coups in modern politics, says Ratuva" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/07/16/fijians-are-fed-up-no-more-coups-in-modern-politics-says-ratuva/" aria-label="Read more about Fijians are ‘fed up’ – no more coups in modern politics, says Ratuva">Read more</a>
RNZ Pacific A West Papua pro-independence leader says Indonesia is ramping up its repression of peaceful activists while people mobilise in favour of the province gaining full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). Benny Wenda said 10 activists were arrested earlier this week while handing out leaflets advertising a peaceful rally to support his ... <a title="Wenda slams ‘grave abuses’ against Papuan activists at MSG demos" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/07/14/wenda-slams-grave-abuses-against-papuan-activists-at-msg-demos/" aria-label="Read more about Wenda slams ‘grave abuses’ against Papuan activists at MSG demos">Read more</a>
RNZ Pacific Solomon Islands opposition leader Matthew Wale has accused the country’s Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, of mocking Solomon Islanders. On Monday, Solomon Islands signed nine deals with China, including an agreement on police cooperation to upgrade the relation between the two nations. Sogavare arrived in Beijing on Sunday and reportedly told Chinese officials: “I ... <a title="Solomons PM’s ‘I’m back home’ comment in Beijing ‘shameful’, says Wale" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/07/12/solomons-pms-im-back-home-comment-in-beijing-shameful-says-wale/" aria-label="Read more about Solomons PM’s ‘I’m back home’ comment in Beijing ‘shameful’, says Wale">Read more</a>
Asia Pacific Report Advocates and defenders of a nuclear-free Pacific have condemned the AUKUS military pact and warned New Zealand that the agreement would make the world “more dangerous” and should not join. Participants at a Nuclear-Free and Independent Pacific (NFIP) movement teachers’ wānanga launched a petition against the pact with one of the “elders” ... <a title="Nuclear-free campaigners warn against AUKUS raising Pacific tensions" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/07/11/nuclear-free-campaigners-warn-against-aukus-raising-pacific-tensions/" aria-label="Read more about Nuclear-free campaigners warn against AUKUS raising Pacific tensions">Read more</a>
By Singgih Wiryono in Jakarta Indonesia’s former National Human Rights Commission (Komnas HAM) chairperson Ahmad Taufan Damanik says it is difficult to expect Komnas HAM to play a role in freeing the New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens held hostage in West Papua. According to Damanik, who was chair 2017-2022, this is because the current Komnas ... <a title="Jakarta’s rights commission criticised for ‘failure’ over NZ pilot hostage case" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/07/09/jakartas-rights-commission-criticised-for-failure-over-nz-pilot-hostage-case/" aria-label="Read more about Jakarta’s rights commission criticised for ‘failure’ over NZ pilot hostage case">Read more</a>
Investigative journalist Antony Loewenstein . . . author of The Palestine Laboratory. Image: The author Asia Pacific Report: LocationsMonday, July 17: ChristchurchPublic meeting, 7pmKnox Centre, Cnr Bealey Avenue & Victoria street, Christchurch (books available)https://www.facebook.com/events/813719740268177/ Tuesday, July 18: Wellington7pmSt Andrews on the Terrace, 30 The Terrace (Unity Books will have a rep there)https://www.facebook.com/events/644521054258279/ Wednesday, July 19: ... <a title="Palestine a testing ground for Israeli ‘occupation war tech’, says author" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/07/08/palestine-a-testing-ground-for-israeli-occupation-war-tech-says-author/" aria-label="Read more about Palestine a testing ground for Israeli ‘occupation war tech’, says author">Read more</a>
ANALYSIS: By François Dubet, Université de Bordeaux Although they never fail to take us aback, French riots have followed the same distinct pattern ever since protests broke out in the eastern suburbs of Lyon in 1981, an episode known as the “summer of Minguettes”: a young person is killed or seriously injured by the police, ... <a title="French riots follow decades-old pattern of rage, with no resolution in sight" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/07/04/french-riots-follow-decades-old-pattern-of-rage-with-no-resolution-in-sight/" aria-label="Read more about French riots follow decades-old pattern of rage, with no resolution in sight">Read more</a>
RNZ Pacific Papua New Guinea’s Minister of Bougainville Affairs, Manasseh Makiba, believes an absolute majority is needed for the vote on the Bougainville referendum because it involves changing the constitution. Makiba told Parliament last month that two thirds of MPs would need to support the independence push, drawing the ire of Bougainville’s Minister of Independence ... <a title="Minister dismisses Bougainville criticism over independence vote" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/07/04/minister-dismisses-bougainville-criticism-over-independence-vote/" aria-label="Read more about Minister dismisses Bougainville criticism over independence vote">Read more</a>
SPECIAL REPORT: By Yamin Kogoya The name Vanuatu has taken on a sacred significance in Papuan liberation consciousness. The Free Papua Movement (OPM) elders ignited this consciousness after the declaration of West Papua’s independence on 1 July 1971. The declaration was an act of revolution to reclaim Papuan sovereignty, stolen by Indonesia. General Seth Rumkorem ... <a title="Vanuatu – West Papua – MSG: An epic saga of messianic hope, betrayal, tragedy and resurrection" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2023/07/02/vanuatu-west-papua-msg-an-epic-saga-of-messianic-hope-betrayal-tragedy-and-resurrection/" aria-label="Read more about Vanuatu – West Papua – MSG: An epic saga of messianic hope, betrayal, tragedy and resurrection">Read more</a>