[ap-intact] INFO: Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (17 Oct 2015) - Vanuatu, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Fiji
[Facilitator’s note: Thank you to Annika Wythes, Luisa Senibulu,
Samita Singh, and Mihaela Stojkoska of the joint UNDP-UNODC Pacific Regional
Anti-Corruption Project for sharing these updates.]
Vanuatu:
Vanuatu
shaken by mass corruption convictions. "Vanuatu's government has been severely shaken,
and its future is uncertain, after half its MPs were convicted of
bribery." http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/286695/vanuatu-shaken-by-mass-corruption-convictions
Vanuatu
PM still silent on pardons. Five
days since 15 of his MPs were convicted of bribery charges, Vanuatu's Prime
Minister Sato Kilman is yet to say anything about their controversial
pardoning. http://www.pina.com.fj/?p=pacnews&m=read&o=1472017574561d800dca9422af890c
Vanuatu
Could Dissolve Parliament After Convictions of MPs. The future of Vanuatu's government is
uncertain after 15 of its MPs were last week convicted of bribery charges. http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2015/October/10-12-01.htm
Vanuatu
ombudsman says suspension 'illegal'. Vanuatu's ombudsman has been suspended by the
government, in a move he says is illegal and invalid. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/286815/vanuatu-ombudsman-says-suspension-'illegal'
PNG:
Anti-corruption
lawyers allowed back into PNG. A senior fraud squad member in Papua New Guinea says the reversing of a
travel ban on two Australian lawyers, who represent anti-corruption police, is
another small victory for justice. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/286556/anti-corruption-lawyers-allowed-back-into-png
PNG
anti-fraud squad leader arrested and charged. The director of Papua New Guinea's fraud and anti-corruption
squad, Mathew Damaru, has been arrested and charged with lying under oath. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/286816/png-anti-fraud-squad-leader-arrested-and-charged
Samoa:
One
defendant walks free in Samoa fraud case. One of three people standing trial in Samoa on charges
of receiving money by deception has been discharged. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/286858/one-defendant-walks-free-in-samoa-fraud-case
Grounded
Boat in Samoa Investigated for Illegal Fishing. Investigations are underway in Samoa into a boat that
ran aground at Falealupo, on the most western part of Savai'i island. http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2015/October/10-12-14.htm
Solomon
Islands:
Solomons
government to sell illegally harvested logs. The Solomon Islands government is to sell illegally
harvested logs from Rennell Island. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/286775/solomons-government-to-sell-illegally-harvested-logs
Fiji:
Padarath and
Vakaloloma appear in court on forgery charges. Suva resident Ben Padarath and lawyer Aseri Vakaloloma
who are charged with forgery appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court this
morning. http://fijivillage.com/news/Padarath-and-Vakaloloma-appear-in-court-on-forgery-charges-r9k2s5