[ap-intact] INFO: Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (13 Nov 2015) - Tonga, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, PNG

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[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.]
Tonga:
Tonga talks about partnership to curtail corruption in Pacific. The fact that Tonga has not ratified the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) did not hamper the participation of Tonga's representative, Lord Fusitu’a, in panel discussions at the 6th Forum of Parliamentarians held in St Petersburg, Russia on November 5. http://matangitonga.to/2015/11/11/tonga-talks-about-partnership-curtail-corruption-pacific
Solomon Islands:
DCCG serious about ICAC establishment: OPMC. The Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) said the Democratic Coalition for Change Government is serious about the establishment of an Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).  
The OPMC reiterated the DCC Government commitment to this objective in response to the statement by the Parliamentary Opposition, urging Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare to inform the nation about the status of the proposed ICAC.
It said Solomon Islands has ratified the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) in January 2012 and as a party to the UNCAC, Solomon Islands is obligated under this convention to establish a body of bodies that addresses corruption.
The OPMC said in keeping with this obligation, the DCC Government has commenced work on establishing an anti-corruption agency early this year with the aim of introducing a bill before Parliament by the year’s end but the engagement of a specialised legal draftsman and other competing priorities made this impossible.
It said a draft anti-corruption bill is currently with the Prime Minister’s Office and it is expected that the bill will reach Parliament in the first quarter of 2016 after all administrative and legal requirements are met.
The OPMC said once the bill gets Parliamentary approval and vice-regal consent, the DCC Government will commence setting up the proposed anti-corruption agency in accordance with the Act.
The OPMC said there is no propaganda on this issue by the DCC Government as suggested by the Opposition Group.
-Government Press Statement-

Fiji:
Recruitment of suspended police officers, a major concern, says Ali. Non-Government Organisation Coalition on Human Rights is disgusted by the decision of the Republic of the Fiji Military Forces in recruiting suspended police officers allegedly involved in the beating of escaped inmate Iowane Benedito.
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=329560

Vanuatu:
Packed court for Vanuatu bribery appeals. Vanuatu's Court of Appeal this morning began hearing the cases of 14 MPs jailed for bribery last month. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/289503/packed-court-for-vanuatu-bribery-appeals

Samoa:
Opposition accuses government ministers of unlawful election campaigns. The Tautua Samoa opposition party has called on the Electoral office to look into what it believes is an unlawful election campaign by the government. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/289507/samoa-opposition-accuses-government-ministers-of-unlawful-election-campaigns

PNG:
PNG and Indonesia in firing line over loss of forests. A Papua New Guinea environmental and social activist has delivered a scathing assessment of stewardship of the country's forest resources by its politicians. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/289455/png-and-indonesia-in-firing-line-over-loss-of-forests

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