PNGBLOGS

By SUSAN MERRELL The independence of the judiciary is a paradigm that underpins the rule of law in democratic states. Another well-accepted paradigm comes from one of the most famous historical judicial rulings: “Justice should not only be done, but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done.” It was why in 2004 the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) of Sierra Leone was successful in removing Judge Geoffrey Robertson from hearing their case. The ruling judge was not only asked to rule on whether the fact that Robertson had written extensively on the subject made him biased, but “…whether an independent bystander…or the reasonable man…[would] have a legitimate reason to fear…the lack of impartiality.” In some matters affecting the Pacific, occurrences where the “reasonable man” would have a reason to fear impartiality tend to go unnoticed. For instance, in the Supreme Court of Queensland last year where the former Attorney-General of the Solomon Islands, Julian Moti, was applyin

JOHNNY BLADES Melanesian grouping of Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands reconsider their regional links They've come a long way from trading fish and coconuts. There's discord in the Melanesian Spearhead Group over the accession of Fiji to the chairmanship, a battle that reflects recognition of the growing importance of Melanesia as global demand for resources heats up. That wasn't always the case. The inception of the group, initially as a trade bloc, in the mid-1980s drew derision from some. Vanuatu's ambassador at the EU, Roy Mickey Joy, remembers when they started negotiations for the MSG trade agreement: "The reaction we got from Canberra and Wellington was 'what are the Melanesians going to trade with, fish and coconuts?'" Since then, there's been a shift in global economic policy, says Mickey Joy. The group now has a bigger role to play in the region and beyond. These days, the MSG – whose full members are Papua New Guinea,

JOHNNY BLADES Melanesian grouping of Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands reconsider their regional links They've come a long way from trading fish and coconuts. There's discord in the Melanesian Spearhead Group over the accession of Fiji to the chairmanship, a battle that reflects recognition of the growing importance of Melanesia as global demand for resources heats up. That wasn't always the case. The inception of the group, initially as a trade bloc, in the mid-1980s drew derision from some. Vanuatu's ambassador at the EU, Roy Mickey Joy, remembers when they started negotiations for the MSG trade agreement: "The reaction we got from Canberra and Wellington was 'what are the Melanesians going to trade with, fish and coconuts?'" Since then, there's been a shift in global economic policy, says Mickey Joy. The group now has a bigger role to play in the region and beyond. These days, the MSG – whose full members are Papua New Gu

Ash Pemberton The government of Papua New Guinea has been awarded Greenpeace’s “Golden Chainsaw” award in response to its corrupt, anti-environment forestry policies. In a report released on October 25, the environmental advocacy organisation said PNG should not be allowed to take part in the controversial Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) carbon trading program until “safeguards for biodiversity and indigenous and landowners’ rights and ending the corruption and illegal logging” are in place. Greenpeace anti-logging campaigner Sam Moko said: “The government of PNG is attempting to get its hands on billions of dollars of international REDD funding. But instead of protecting rainforests at home, they are corruptly approving widespread logging and denying the rights of indigenous people who own the land.” Greenpeace has accused the PNG government of playing a spoiling role during negotiations on REDD at the October United Nations climate meeting in Tianjin, Chin

Ash Pemberton The government of Papua New Guinea has been awarded Greenpeace’s “Golden Chainsaw” award in response to its corrupt, anti-environment forestry policies. In a report released on October 25, the environmental advocacy organisation said PNG should not be allowed to take part in the controversial Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) carbon trading program until “safeguards for biodiversity and indigenous and landowners’ rights and ending the corruption and illegal logging” are in place. Greenpeace anti-logging campaigner Sam Moko said: “The government of PNG is attempting to get its hands on billions of dollars of international REDD funding. But instead of protecting rainforests at home, they are corruptly approving widespread logging and denying the rights of indigenous people who own the land.” Greenpeace has accused the PNG government of playing a spoiling role during negotiations on REDD at the October United Nations climate meeting in Tianjin,

Opposition Leader Sir Mekere Morauta said today that Michael Somare is turning Papua New Guinea into “Mugabeland”. “Somare has all the ingredients and recipes in place,” he said. “The two most-important disciplinary forces, the Defence Force and the Police have been tribalised and converted into instruments at his disposal and for his use. “Papua New Guineans should be extremely worried about these developments and must not allow these tribal roots to take hold. “These moves are fraught with danger and set sickening precedents for others to follow in the future. “Michael Somare has to be blamed squarely for these atrocious, self-serving acts.”“This is why this Government has to be changed – to save our country and our future. “The alleged capture by Somare’s bodyguards and alleged bashing of NGO activist Noel Anjo by the Prime Minister and his wife, demonstrate Somare’s preparedness to silence any critic, by any means, including violence and use of the institutions of state. “I remin

Opposition Leader Sir Mekere Morauta said today that Michael Somare is turning Papua New Guinea into “Mugabeland”. “Somare has all the ingredients and recipes in place,” he said. “The two most-important disciplinary forces, the Defence Force and the Police have been tribalised and converted into instruments at his disposal and for his use. “Papua New Guineans should be extremely worried about these developments and must not allow these tribal roots to take hold. “These moves are fraught with danger and set sickening precedents for others to follow in the future. “Michael Somare has to be blamed squarely for these atrocious, self-serving acts.”“This is why this Government has to be changed – to save our country and our future. “The alleged capture by Somare’s bodyguards and alleged bashing of NGO activist Noel Anjo by the Prime Minister and his wife, demonstrate Somare’s preparedness to silence any critic, by any means, including violence and use of the institutions of state. “I re