Independent Analysis and Reportage
Asia Pacific Report Palestinian history is “deliberately ignored” and is being effectively “erased” as part of Western news media narratives, while establishment forces work to shut down anyone speaking out against Israel’s slaughter in Gaza, academics have told a university conference of legal and Middle East experts. Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz
Asia Pacific Report A broad coalition of civil society organisations in Aotearoa New Zealand have signed an open letter to Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters urging the coalition government to refuse to accept the credentials of a new Israeli ambassador while the state continues to disregard international law and to commit war crimes. The term ... <a title="Civil society groups call on NZ to bar new Israeli envoy over ‘flagrant’ Gaza genocide" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/12/19/civil-society-groups-call-on-nz-to-bar-new-israeli-envoy-over-flagrant-gaza-genocide/" aria-label="Read more about Civil society groups call on NZ to bar new Israeli envoy over ‘flagrant’ Gaza genocide">Read more</a>
Asia Pacific Report A global civil society watchdog has condemned Fiji for blocking protest marches over the Palestine genocide by Israel and clamping down on a regional Pacific university demonstration with threats. However, while the Civicus Monitor rates the state of civic space in Fiji as “obstructed” it has acknowledged the country for making some ... <a title="Global watchdog condemns Fiji for ‘blocking’ protest marches over Gaza genocide" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/12/16/global-watchdog-condemns-fiji-for-blocking-protest-marches-over-gaza-genocide/" aria-label="Read more about Global watchdog condemns Fiji for ‘blocking’ protest marches over Gaza genocide">Read more</a>
Asia Pacific Report Marwan Bishara, Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst, has condemned Israel’s extensive airstrikes on Syrian installations — reportedly 500 times in 72 hours, comparing them to historic Israeli actions justified as “security measures”. He criticised the hypocrisy of Israel’s security pretext endorsed by Western powers. Asked why Israel was bombing Syria and encroaching ... <a title="Why is Israel bombing Syria? – ‘because it can get away with it’, says Bishara" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/12/15/why-is-israel-bombing-syria-because-it-can-get-away-with-it-says-bishara/" aria-label="Read more about Why is Israel bombing Syria? – ‘because it can get away with it’, says Bishara">Read more</a>
Democracy Now! AMY GOODMAN: We begin today’s show in Syria, where tens of thousands of people gathered at the Great Mosque of Damascus for the first Friday prayers since longtime authoritarian President Bashar al-Assad was toppled by opposition fighters. DAMASCUS RESIDENT: [translated] Hopefully this Friday is the Friday of the greatest joy, a Friday of ... <a title="Damascus and Gaza prisoners: Syrians and Palestinians search for ‘disappeared’ loved ones" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/12/14/damascus-and-gaza-prisoners-syrians-and-palestinians-search-for-disappeared-loved-ones/" aria-label="Read more about Damascus and Gaza prisoners: Syrians and Palestinians search for ‘disappeared’ loved ones">Read more</a>
Pacific Media Watch The global media freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has revealed an “alarming intensification of attacks on journalists” in its 2024 annual roundup — especially in conflict zones such as Gaza. Gaza stands out as the “most dangerous” region in the world, with the highest number of journalists murdered in connection with ... <a title="RSF says global attacks on journalists ‘alarming’, Gaza ‘most dangerous’ and seeks ‘urgent action’" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/12/14/rsf-says-global-attacks-on-journalists-alarming-gaza-most-dangerous-and-seeks-urgent-action/" aria-label="Read more about RSF says global attacks on journalists ‘alarming’, Gaza ‘most dangerous’ and seeks ‘urgent action’">Read more</a>
By Te Aniwaniwa Paterson of Te Ao Māori News Activist/educator Tina Ngata (Ngati Porou) has warned proposed changes to Aotearoa New Zealand’s Treaty of Waitangi principles would undermine indigenous Māori sovereignty, rights, and protections, and risk corporate exploitation and environmental harm. Ngata is a member of Koekoeā, a tāngata whenua and tāngata tiriti rōpu which ... <a title="Te Tiriti: The history and implications of the Treaty Principles Bill" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/12/13/te-tiriti-the-history-and-implications-of-the-treaty-principles-bill/" aria-label="Read more about Te Tiriti: The history and implications of the Treaty Principles Bill">Read more</a>
By Craig Ashworth, Local Democracy Reporter New Plymouth has admitted it has investments in companies active in illegal Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land, contrary to New Zealand government foreign policy and United Nations rulings. The revelation comes a week after Mayor Neil Holdom refused a request from Parihaka Pā and all the district’s iwi ... <a title="Money link to illegal Israeli settlements ignites divestment battle in NZ city" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/12/13/money-link-to-illegal-israeli-settlements-ignites-divestment-battle-in-nz-city/" aria-label="Read more about Money link to illegal Israeli settlements ignites divestment battle in NZ city">Read more</a>
Asia Pacific Report The United Nations General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to demand an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip — but three of the isolated nine countries that voted against are Pacific island states, including Papua New Guinea. The assembly passed a resolution yesterday demanding an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, which ... <a title="UN overwhelmingly backs immediate Gaza ceasefire – but 3 Pacific nations vote against" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/12/12/un-overwhelmingly-backs-immediate-gaza-ceasefire-but-3-pacific-nations-vote-against/" aria-label="Read more about UN overwhelmingly backs immediate Gaza ceasefire – but 3 Pacific nations vote against">Read more</a>
By Alifereti Sakiasi in Suva Social cohesion is a national responsibility, and everyone, including the media, should support government’s efforts, according to Dr Shailendra Singh, associate professor in Pacific Journalism at the University of the South Pacific. While the news media are often accused of exacerbating conflict by amplifying ethnic tensions through biased narratives, media ... <a title="How media could help social cohesion and unite people – a Fiji journalism educator’s view" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/12/12/how-media-could-help-social-cohesion-and-unite-people-a-fiji-journalism-educators-view/" aria-label="Read more about How media could help social cohesion and unite people – a Fiji journalism educator’s view">Read more</a>
RNZ Pacific Vanuatu’s special envoy to climate change says their case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is based on the argument that those harming the climate are breaking international law. The case seeks an advisory opinion from the court on the legal responsibilities of countries in relation to climate change, and dozens of ... <a title="Climate justice: Vanuatu’s landmark case at ICJ seeks to hold polluting nations responsible" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/12/12/climate-justice-vanuatus-landmark-case-at-icj-seeks-to-hold-polluting-nations-responsible/" aria-label="Read more about Climate justice: Vanuatu’s landmark case at ICJ seeks to hold polluting nations responsible">Read more</a>
By Apenisa Waqairadovu in Suva Fiji’s coalition government has come under scrutiny over allegations of human rights violations. Speaking at the commemoration of International Human Rights Day in Suva on Tuesday, the chair of the Coalition of NGOs, Shamima Ali, claimed that — like the previous FijiFirst administration — the coalition government has demonstrated a ... <a title="Fiji government accused over human rights violations, free speech curb" class="read-more" href="https://eveningreport.nz/2024/12/12/fiji-government-accused-over-human-rights-violations-free-speech-curb/" aria-label="Read more about Fiji government accused over human rights violations, free speech curb">Read more</a>