Vanuatu's National Human Rights coordinator Albert Nalpini said that the activities of the organisation V-Pride contradict the Vanuatu constitution's preamble. Photo: 123RF
Vanuatu - LGBTQIA+ advocacy
A legal advisor in Vanuatu has said that the government's move to ban LGBTQIA+ advocacy is unconstitutional.
The country's Ministry of Justice and Community Services plans to pass a law that would forbid the LGBTQIA+ community and the V-Pride organisation from promoting their work.
The legal advisor, who wishes to remain anonymous, told the Vanuatu Daily Post that the move would breach Vanuatu's constitutional rights to freedom of expression.
He said people need to understand that the rights of a minority group, who are victims of abuse, domestic violence, and societal shunning, are being limited.
National Human Rights coordinator Albert Nalpini said that the activities of the organisation V-Pride contradict the Vanuatu constitution's preambles, Christian principles, and Melanesian values.
Solomon Islands - police investigation
Police in Solomon Islands are investigating one of their own officers who allegedly provided police radios to three civilians.
In-Depth Solomons reports the three men were arrested and are facing charges for unauthorised possession of police equipment.
The officer accused has been suspended as investigations continue.
Police Commissioner Mostyn Mangau said that this is a serious matter, especially as the three men are already known to police for criminal activity, and they will be taking stern action.
Solomon Islands - waste management
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Solomon Islands government have signed funding agreements to support the improvement of solid waste management in greater Honiara.
The agreements include a loan of nearly $7 million and a grant of about $12.5 million.
Honiara generates about 80 tons of solid waste per day, with 59 percent of this is collected and the rest burned or illegally dumped.
The ADB said the project will help strengthen solid waste management, contribute to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and improve environmental quality and public health.
Guam - election
Guam's 2024 general election saw a historic dip in voter turnout, with just 48.3% of eligible voters casting ballots.
The Pacific Daily News reported that despite a record-high of 62,000 registered voters, less than half (29,993) took part, marking the lowest turnout since 1950.
Guam Election Committe (GEC) said that a lack of interest amongst younger voters could be to blame.
GEC's vice chairman Joseph Mafnas said that the elections used to be "more fun", buoyed by vibrant community events, however the energy seems to have fizzled out.
He said that the lack of enthusiasm has sparked calls for greater outreach and political parties need to find ways to better engage young voters.
Samoa - forests
Samoa has gained almost 3000 hectares of forest since 2013, according to a new report from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
The forestry report covers three of the five core activities under the United Nations 'REDD+' framework, which stands for "reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation" plus conservation.
Minister for Natural Resources and Environment Toe-ole-sulusulu Cedric Schuster said Samoa's forests now cover 199,661 hectares, up slightly from 196,669 hectares in 2013.
He said that Samoa's forests are critical in mitigating climate impacts and they must continue building on this progress to ensure they are reducing emissions effectively and safeguarding natural resources for future generations.
The government said that the report will serve as a benchmark for monitoring Samoa's progress in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from its forests and will lay a foundation for future efforts in forest management and climate action.
Fiji - legal challenges
Fiji's former prime minister Frank Bainimarama is taking the Fijian government to court.
Local media report that Bainimarama, who was released last week from prison six months into his one-year sentence, claim his pension and gratuity have been cut short by more than FJ$337,000.
The Office of the Attorney General was quoted by local media, saying that Bainimarama and his lawyers have misconstrued the relevant provisions of the Prime Minister's Pension Act and the Parliamentary Remunerations Act.
They want the claim to be dismissed with an order on the costs.
The matter has been adjourned to 5 February 2025.
Fiji - HIV
The indigenous Fijian or iTaukei community makes up 89 percent of the people living with HIV in Fiji.
The World Health Organisation's sexual reproductive health and rights officer Joeli Colati said iTaukei are more likely to undergo testing in public healthcare facilities, leading to comprehensive national data.
Colati said, on the other hand, Fijians of Indian descent, who make up nine percent of people living with HIV, tend to seek testing through private doctors.
He said that getting tested privately often ends in under reporting, leading to gaps in the overall data.