News

Pacific islands seeks International Court of Justice advice on climate change damage

Posted 08 Feb 2012

At a recent UN General Assembly, an expert advisory committee formed by Pacific island states announced they would be raising their climate change concerns with the International Court of Justice (ICJ), reported the Pacific Islands News Network.

Palau President Johnson Toribiong said he would be seeking specific advice from the ICJ on the 'no harm rule' and the UN Law of the Sea Convention in relation to climate change damage. If a credible case can be made, the ICJ could force developed nations to reduce carbon emissions in the absence of an international treaty.

Fiji Times pleads against contempt of court charges

Posted 31 Jan 2012

Following Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum's allegations last year over a Fiji Times article that purpotedly questioned the existence of the judiciary in Fiji, the newspaper company has entered a plea of not guilty to High Court Judge Justice William Callinchini in Suva, reported the Pacific Island News Association.

Represented by Defence counsel John Apted, Fiji Times Limited, its editor-in-chief Fred Wesley and former publisher Brian O'Flaherty were charged with contempt of court. A hearing date will be set on 9 March 2012.

PNG lawyer's arrest part of political crisis

Posted 24 Jan 2012

Prominent Papua New Guinean lawyer David Dataona was arrested by plain-clothes police officers as he stepped out of a court room in Port Moresby, reported the New Lawyer.

Mr Dataona has been accused of perverting the course of justice by allegedly attempting to bribe a police lawyer into signing documents that would replace Police Commissioner Tom Kulunga with his client, Fred Yakasa.

Vanuatu Justice Minister dismissed for disloyalty

Posted 19 Jan 2012

Vanuatu Prime Minister Sato Kilman gave no explanation other than disloyalty in a letter sacking Justice Minister Ralph Regenvanu, reported Pacific Beat.

It has also been rumoured that Regenvanu's opposition to joining the World Trade Organisation may have factored into the dismissal.

Pentecost constiuency MP Charlot Salwai has been appointed Justice Minister following Regenvanu's termination.

The PM is expected to do away with two more ministers prior to the October general election, reported the Pacific Islands News Association (PINA).

Tongan King denies support for gun law amendments

Posted 11 Jan 2012

King George Tupou V has refused to endorse the Arms and Ammunitions (Amendment) Act 2011, which was passed by the Tongan parliament to minimise the penalties incurred for firearms posession, reported Matangi Tonga Online.

Parliament voted to circumvent public consultation on the Bill in October last year, and went on to pass the amendments with a vote of 10-8.

The Bill, however, has not been granted the Tongan monarch's Royal Assent on the grounds that the move would be "inimical to the welfare, wellbeing and safety of His subjects."

Fiji's moves to lift martial law

Posted 06 Jan 2012

Following Commodore Frank Bainimarama's New Year's announcement that Public Emergency Regulations would be lifted in Fiji on Saturday 7 January, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has applauded the move toward democratic processes a "positive step," reported the Pacific Islands News Network.

Samoa crosses the International Date Line

Posted 04 Jan 2012

Friday 30 December 2011 did not exist for Samoa as it moved west over the International Date Line to become the first country to celebrate the New Year, reported the Pacific Islands News Network.

The same reason was cited for the opposite move more than a century ago when Samoa crossed over to the east of the International Date Line to bring the Pacific island nation closer to trading partners at the time in the US and Europe. Today, Samoa has developed closer ties with Australia and New Zealand, and the time zone change has been hailed by most as a positive move.

Queen may have to resolve PNG political crisis

Posted 19 Dec 2011

Suspended Governor General Sir Michael Ogio has signed instruments for a military call up, a move still recognised by Buckingham Palace, reported the Pacific Island News Network.

Supreme Court reinstates Somare as PM

Posted 13 Dec 2011

A panel of five Supreme Court judges has decided Peter O'Neill's prime ministership unconstitutional, restoring Sir Michael Somare as the Papua New Guinean leader, reported the Pacific Islands News Association.

A close ruling of 3-2 ousted the O'Neill administration, which was elected on 2 August this year following what was then deemed a vacancy in the office of prime minister. The Supreme Court's judgment stated there was no such vacancy in the PM's seat, making O'Neill's 70-24 parliamentary win illegal.

Vanuatu joins International Criminal Court

Posted 07 Dec 2011

Vanuatu is the 120th state to accede to the Rome Statute establishing the International Criminal Court (ICC), reported the Pacific Islands News Association.

The Pacific island nation submitted its accession to the United Nations on Friday 2 December, with the treaty to take effect from 1 February 2012.

ICC President Sang-Hyun Song hopes that Vanuatu will set an example for other South Pacific nations to join the Statute, which enables the ICC to try war crimes committed since Jule 2002.