News

Tuvalu calls for UN special status for SIDS

Posted 03 Oct 2012

This year's high level segment of the United Nations General Assembly in New York has been urged to formally grant special UN status to Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
The Foreign Minister for Tuvalu, the Hon. Mr Apisai Ielemiam, referred to the looming threat that climate change and natural disasters posed to SIDS.

Inspector-General finds legislation breached

Posted 28 Sep 2012

A finding by New Zealand's Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, the Hon DP Neazor CNZM, that the Government Communications Security Bureau had breached its governing legislation has prompted an apology from the New Zealand Government. 
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"Do more" to prevent climate change urges the Solomon Islands' PM

Posted 28 Sep 2012

The Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, the Hon Gordon Darcy Lilo, urged developed countries to do more to reduce the risk of catastrophic climate change at the 67th UN General Assembly in New York on 27 September 2012.
Expressing concen about the low level of ambition currently evident in countries' pledges, Mr Lilo is reported to have described climate change as an urgent and irreversible threat to humanity.
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New office bearers elected for Solomon Islands Bar Association

Posted 26 Sep 2012

President

Mr. Donald Marahare

Vice President

Australian facing prosecution for alleged gun smuggling to PNG

Posted 24 Sep 2012

An Australian who is also a businessman in PNG is said to be facing prosecution for the illegal export of prohibited weapons and ammunition to PNG. Mr Ian Chow, chief executive of Lae Biscuit Company and the regional director of the International Practical Shooting Confederation, was arrested in Sydney by Australian Federal Police early last month. He is reported to be facing court in Melbourne on 12 November.

UNDP Offers a Six-Point Plan for Gender Equality in Politics in the Asia- Pacific

Posted 21 Sep 2012

Image: Dame Carol Kidu (centre) was formerly PNG's sole elected woman in Parliament. In 2012 three women were elected. Photo: Jason South

Regional Review of Draft International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures

Posted 20 Sep 2012

Fourteen Pacific Island countries and territories are attending a Regional Workshop for the Review of Draft International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures in Nadi, 17-21 September 2012.
The Convention provides a framework for plant protection that includes developing international standards for phytosanitary measures (ISPMs) for safeguarding plant resources, consistent with GATT/WTO agreements.One of the regional standards under review this week is the generic heat treatment for fruit fly (Tephritidae) host fruit in the Pacific region.

Fiji expels United Nations delegation

Posted 20 Sep 2012

The Government of Fiji has expelled a delegation from the United Nations' International Labour Organisation that had been asked to investigate working conditions.
A Judge on the International Court of Justice and a distinguished member of the ILO Committee of Experts on the Applications of Conventions and Recommendations, Justice Abdul Koroma, was leading the delegation.

Nauru faces legal challenge

Posted 13 Sep 2012

Nauru faces legal challenge

Prominent human rights advocate Julian Burnside says there is potential for a legal challenge to the government reopening asylum seeker processing on Nauru, but an injunction before the first transfers is unlikely.

Burnside said that while he was not aware of any concerted effort yet to mount a legal challenge, there were at least two possible avenues for a High Court case.

The first would be to use similar arguments that led the High Court to overturn the Malaysia people-swap agreement.

American Samoa governor moves to repeal death penalty

Posted 13 Sep 2012

American Samoa governor moves to repeal death penalty

American Samoa's Governor, Togiola Tulafono, has moved to repeal the death penalty, making life in prison the only punishment for those convicted of first-degree murder.

The territory hasn't witnessed an execution in more than 50 years, when a man was hanged for killing another man with a machete.

The full story is available from the PacNews Website.

Source: AP/PACNEWS