Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (19 Dec 2014) - Fiji, PNG, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands

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Facilitator’s note: Thank you to Annika Wythes, Isikeli Valemei, Luisa Senibulu, and Samita Singh of the joint UNDP-UNODC Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project, for sharing these updates.]

Fiji: Religious Organizations advised to comply with FTR. Fiji's Financial Intelligence Unit warns officials of religious organisations who collect and receive funds on behalf of their organisations to comply with the relevant laws and regulations. http://www.fbc.com.fj/fiji/25338/religious-organizations-advised-to-comply-with-ftr-act#sthash.H8yx4GuA.dpuf

Fiji: 2007 AG report first on the scrutiny block. The Auditor General’s reports from 2007 will be the first bulk of reports to be reviewed by the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee.  http://www.fbc.com.fj/fiji/25342/2007-ag-report-first-on-the-scrutiny-block#sthash.N9tpiItE.dpuf

PNG: PM accused of delaying Commission. Papua New Guinea's former Attorney General says he suspects Prime Minister Peter O'Neill is holding back from establishing an independent Commission against corruption. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/261974/png%27s-pm-accused-of-delaying-commission

PNG: Police Commissioner Contempt Charge To Proceed. Police Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki has failed in his bid to throw out the alleged contempt of court case against him. http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2014/December/12-15-19.htm

PNG: Half of Human Rights Violations Involve Police. A report by the Indonesian human rights group, Kontras, has found nearly half of human rights violations in the Papua region this year involved members of the police force. http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2014/December/12-16-13.htm

Kiribati: MP loses defamation case against Tong. Kiribati opposition MP Tebuai Uaai has lost his defamation lawsuit against the President Anote Tong. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/262001/kiribati-mp-loses-defamation-case-against-tong

Samoa: Faumuina faces more allegations. Samoa's parliament is expected to debate this week whether to file criminal charges against civil servant and former Cabinet Minister Faumuina Tiatia Liuga who is alleged to have been involved in corruption and misusing public assets. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/261988/faumuina-faces-more-allegations

Solomon Islands: Sogovare says PPI Act will be reviewed. The Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC) government will review the Political Party Integrity (PPI). http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/5254-ppi-act-will-be-reviewed-sogavare

Solomon Islands: LCC to investigate MP. The Leadership Code Commission (LCC) will investigate Member of Parliament (MP) for East Guadalcanal, Bradley Tovosia after he was charged by police on Monday. http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/5280-lcc-to-investigate-mp

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