News

Asia-Pacific Regional Coverage Knowledgebase

Posted 10 Apr 2013

The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) is pleased to announce the launch of Asia-Pacific Regional Coverage and ASIAPACIFICSD-L

Update on Canadian immigration law

Posted 03 Apr 2013

During 2012-13 there were various changes in Canada's immigration law, particularly in the area of permanent residence.
Among the changes are new conditions for sponsored spouses, a restructuring of the Federal Skilled Worker Class, the creation of the Federal Skilled Trades Class, amendments to the Canadian Experience Class, and the introduction of bridging work permits for certain federal economic class applicants.

Solomon Islands Justice Program - Long-term positions

Posted 26 Mar 2013

Interested in working in an exciting and challenging development role in the Solomon Islands Justice Sector?

The Solomon Islands Government in association with the Australian Agency for International Development invites applications from interested and suitable persons to fill a wide range of positions in the Justice Sector in Honiara. These include positions for legal, financial, HR, registry and corrections specialists.

Australia could help prevent sorcery killings, says Justice Davani

Posted 18 Mar 2013

Justice Catherine Davani, a judge of PNG's National and Supreme Courts, told an International Women's Day lunch in Canberra last week that Australia could help prevent the torturing and killing of women in PNG suspected of being sorcerers.

Supreme Court in Nauru to rule on reconvening of Parliament

Posted 15 Mar 2013

Campbell Cooney, ABC Radio Australia's Pacific correspondent reports:

The Supreme Court in Nauru is expected to rule this week on whether the country's Parliament will have to reconvene despite its dissolution for an election on 6 April.

The dissolving of Parliament was successfully challenged in the Supreme Court and Justice Geoffrey Eames is expected to rule whether the Speaker Ludwig Scotty will have to recall Parliament.

The Speaker is said to have refused so far to comply with the Court's order to convene a meeting of Parliament to debate the dissolution notice.

PNG PM blasts civil servants over 'dodgy leases'

Posted 15 Mar 2013

ABC Radio Australia's PNG correspondent Liam Fox reports that Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister has sharply criticised public servants over the granting of controversial 99-year leases over more than five million hectares (or about 10%) of PNG.

Critics say the Special Agricultural and Business Leases (SABLs) are an underhand way to grant access to forest timber, often without the permission of traditional owners.

Charter of Commonwealth Values under discussion

Posted 15 Mar 2013

The new Charter of Commonwealth Values will be discussed in the Cayman Islands during an Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) meeting 18-21 March 2013.

The Charter commits all Commonwealth governments to uphold the principles of democracy, good governance and respect for human rights and the rule of law.

Solomon Islands PM commits to a green economy

Posted 13 Mar 2013

The Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, the Hon Gordon Darcy Lilo, has committed his country to achieving sustainable development, particularly in the forestry, fisheries, education, tourism and mineral resources sectors.
Closing a three-day roundable Prime Minister Lilo accepted recommendations calling for:

Correctional staff discharged after beatings

Posted 13 Mar 2013

Several corrections staff in Fiji are reported to have been sacked after a video showing two men being tortured and beaten attracted international condemnation.
Barbara Dreaver, One News Pacific Correspondent, reports that the video showed a recaptured prisoner and the man who harboured him being beaten by security personnel.
Fiji Village has reported that at least three corrections officers were discharged from their duties late last week.

Torture in Fiji video breaches international law - UN

Posted 12 Mar 2013

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) has condemned the bashing of recaptured prisoners by Fiji security personnal.

Radio Australia (ABC) reports that the UNHCHR says says the video posted on the internet appears to show the two handcuffed men being subjected to torture and inhuman and degrading treatment.

The UN Human Rights body is calling for an investigation by an impartial and competent authority, not the Fijian police, and it wants the finding to be made public.