[ap-intact] INFO: Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (18 Dec 2015) - Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Tonga

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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.]

Vanuatu:

Supreme Court dismisses urgent constitutional application challenging dissolution. The urgent constitutional case challenging President Baldwin Lonsdale's dissolution of parliament has been dismissed by Justice Dudley Aru of the Vanuatu Supreme Court. http://www.loopvanuatu.com/content/supreme-court-dismisses-urgent-constitutional-application-challenging-dissolution

Conspiracy case against former MPs deferred. The Preliminary Inquiry in the conspiracy case involving 11 of the 13 imprisoned parliamentarians in Vanuatu has been postponed for the second time.  http://www.loopvanuatu.com/content/conspiracy-case-deferred-magistrate-needs-time-study-new-documents



Solomon Islands:

Public service too politicized, says Transparency. The chairperson of Transparency Solomon Islands says an over-politicized public service is holding back development in the country. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/292039/solomons-public-service-too-politicised-transparency



Fiji:

Lawyer says "disgusted" at AG's move over torture probe. A Fiji lawyer who claimed his associates were tortured by security forces says he's disgusted at the Attorney General for shutting down a parliamentary probe into the affair. http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/292242/fiji-lawyer-disgusted-at-ag's-move-over-torture-probe

Corrections Commissioner appears in court over corruption. Fiji's Correction Commissioner Colonel Iferemi Vasu is facing charges of abuse of office while employed as the Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Office and Director of the Naboro Mini Mart Limited. http://fijione.tv/iferemi-vasu-appear-for-abuse-of-office/

Villages oppose mining. The proposed bauxite mining in the district of Wainunu has not been accepted by majority of the villagers because its monetary value of four cents per kilogram was much less than dalo and yaqona. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=333558



Tonga:

Distrust Surrounding Media and Tongan Government Relations. The Chair of Tonga's Media Council says there is distrust surrounding the government's dealings with the media. http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2015/December/12-14-07.htm

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