Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (27 August 2016) – Fiji, Vanuatu, PNG, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands

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From the UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project, a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, with support from the Australian Government. Updates shared by Mihaela Stojkoska, Luisa Senibulu, and Samita Singh.

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FIJI:

Freedom of Information Bill under the spotlight.  Several concerns have been raised by Fiji political parties and some non-governmental organisations in their submissions on the Freedom of Information Bill.

http://fijione.tv/freedom-of-information-bill-under-the-spotlight/

More women participation hoped for in Fiji Parliament.  Hopes are high that there will be more women participation in Fijian Parliament.

http://fijione.tv/more-women-participation-hoped-for-in-parliament/

VANUATU:

Judiciary remains independent despite threats and inadequate resources: Vanuatu Minister.  Vanuatu Minister of Justice, and Community Services, Ronald Warsal, has publicly congratulated Chief Justice, Vincent Lunabek, Supreme Court judges, magistrates and every officers of the judiciary for protecting the independence of the judiciary and for delivering fair justice to everyone.

http://dailypost.vu/news/judiciary-remains-independent-despite-threats-and-inadequate-resources-minister/article_718089dd-9401-5070-ade9-b5648f188946.html

All lawyers involved in pardon should be disciplined: Judge.  Supreme Court Judge, Richard Chetwynd stated in his verdict on the conspiracy case that he believes that all the lawyers involved in the events leading up to the issuing of the 2015 pardon should be disciplined.

http://dailypost.vu/news/all-lawyers-involved-in-pardon-should-be-disciplined-judge/article_b0e3d84c-ceb8-5bc6-b962-ceaa22050115.html

PNG:

Attorney General's case dismissed in District Court.  A case against Papua New Guinea Attorney-General Ano Pala has been dismissed by the Waigani Committal Court.

http://www.looppng.com/content/pala%E2%80%99s-case-dismissed-district-court

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

Woman faces court over false pretense charges.  A woman facing charges of false pretense involving more than $40, 000 has given her evidence in the defence case.

http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/11398-woman-faces-court-over-false-pretence-charges

COOK ISLANDS:

Jail term for former Cooks Minister.  Former Cook Islands Minister of Marine Resources Teina Bishop has been sentenced to 28 months imprisonment.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/311866/jail-term-for-former-cooks-minister

For more information about the UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption (UN-PRAC) Project, please get in touch with:

Mihaela Stojkoska, Anti-Corruption Specialist - Pacific, UNDP, mihaela.stojkoska@undp.org

Luisa Senibulu, Governance Programme Associate, UNDP/UNODC, luisa.senibulu@undp.org

Samita Singh, Programme Assistant - Anti-Corruption, UNDP/UNODC, samita.singh@undp.org

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