Article – The Scoop Team

Tonight TVNZ held the first leaders debate of the 2011 Election. The pundits are busy coming to their conclusions but Phil Goff (judging by his reaction below – youtube video from interest.co.nz – seems likely to be declared the winner on points. Certainly … Read more »

A Papuan protester daubed in the colours of the Morning Star flag. Photo: PMC archive

Pacific Scoop:
Report – By West Papua Media correspondents

Fresh demonstrations were being held in Jayapura today demanding Indonesia take formal and legal responsibility for ongoing human rights abuses in West Papua, most recently the brutal attack on the Third Papuan People’s Congress (KP3) earlier this month.

In the first act of political expression since the violent crackdown by Indonesian security forces on the declaration of the Democratic Republic of West Papua (RDPB) by KP3 participants, local organisers of today’s rally expressed concern that security forces would again resort to extreme violence to suppress peaceful dissent.

The demonstration, which started this morning in Waena, near Jayapura, is also demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners in West Papua, including those arrested and charged with treason for organising the historic KP3 Congress from October 16-19. Read more »

Press Release – Pacific Media Watch

As tensions escalate in the Indonesian-occupied Melanesian region of West Papua, there is growing criticism over the lack of information in the mainstream New Zealand media about the troubled area. Read more »

Press Release – iPredict

After slipping behind last week, John Banks is once again forecast to win Epsom but the electorate remains highly marginal, according to this 50th weekly snapshot by New Zealand’s online prediction market, iPredict. The snapshot also suggests that, … Read more »

Press Release – New Zealand Defence Force

A dedication service has been held on Vella Lavella Island, Solomon Islands after HMNZS RESOLUTION delivered a memorial plaque commemorating the Kiwis who lost their lives in the WWII battle to liberate the island. Read more »

Press Release – Randell Cottage

Historic Randell Cottage in Thorndon, which hosts a French-NZ writers’ residency turning ten next year, is in the midst of its summer changeover with writers leaving and arriving, and applications closing for next year’s NZ writer. Read more »

Article – femLINKPACIFIC

“Tell the stories. Let the world know. Create the visibility. Use the Peace Portal,” said Ambassador Anwarul Chowdhury, as he responded to the concern raised by panelists in a public roundtable (NY, 27 October) organized by GPPAC in the lead up to today’s … Read more »

Press Release – NZ Council of Christian Social Services

Church leaders are calling on all political parties to acknowledge their shared responsibility to provide a just share of society’s wealth and resources for all its citizens, especially the most vulnerable. Read more »

Press Release – femLINKPACIFIC

We are encouraged by the initiatives currently being undertaken by the Secretary-General and UN-Women in the implementation of Resolution 1325. Read more »

Press Release – femLINKPACIFIC

(Please note: Confirmed speakers from the Pacific region include Fiji, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, as well as Australia) Read more »