Opinion: Pacific justice is a shared responsibility
By Kate Schuetze, Amnesty International, Acting Deputy Regional Director for Research This coming week will see a crucial moment for states and territories in the Pacific to express their views on challenges the region
Transformative Resilient Pasifiki: Exploring the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting theme
The theme for the 53rd Pacific Island Forum Leaders Meeting is Transformative Resilient Pasifiki: Build Better Now. And this week that theme prompted Tongan journalists who were undergoing training in preparation for
Outgoing Forum Chair Mark Brown reflects on challenging times
“We’ve been mindful that our region is of great interest from a geopolitical perspective over the last few years or so,” says Prime Minister of Cook Islands Mark Brown. “But the security issues that are seen by
Forum delays mission to New Caledonia, after diplomatic wrangling
The Pacific Islands Forum has postponed a planned monitoring mission to New Caledonia. The delegation, involving three prime ministers, had intended to visit the French Pacific dependency before next week’s
MSG calls on France to allow monitoring missions into New Caledonia
As New Caledonia reels after two months of clashes between protesters and police, the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) has called on France to allow independent monitoring missions to visit New Caledonia and assess
USP boss sacks union leader for speaking out
The University of the South Pacific (USP) has terminated the work contract of union leader, Dr Tamara Osborne-Naikatini. The President of AUSPS (Association of the University of the South Pacific Staff), Dr
Tjibaou and Metzdorf win New Caledonia’s seats in French National Assembly
In New Caledonia, Emmanuel Tjibaou has won a seat in the French National Assembly – the first time in 38 years that a pro-independence Kanak leader will serve in the French legislature in Paris. Emmanuel is the son of
Opinion: PNG’s gold bill implications for the central bank
PNG’s proposed National Gold Corporation Bill 2023 has attracted lots of debate, objections, and protests. Just last week, the government agreed to amend the immensely long bill (currently over 500 pages!) and consult
Opinion: Why is New Caledonia on fire? According to local women, the deadly riots are about more than voting rights
New Caledonia’s capital city, Noumea, has endured widespread violent rioting over the past 48 hours. This crisis intensified rapidly, taking local authorities by surprise. Peaceful protests had been occurring across
France declares state of emergency in New Caledonia
After three nights of rioting in Noumea, with violent clashes between police and protestors, French President Emmanuel Macron has declared a state of emergency in New Caledonia, taking effect from Thursday morning. The
Violent clashes in Noumea as French National Assembly debates voting rights
As the French parliament in Paris considers legislation to reform voting rights in New Caledonia, there has been a night of rioting and arson in Noumea. On Monday, a series of peaceful protest rallies highlighted calls