Wenda greeted in Port Vila, man dies in police custody in Tonga, and concerns about pork law
Liberation fighter Wenda gets warm greeting in Vanuatu
The head of the United Liberation Movement of West Papua, Benny Wenda, has arrived in Port Vila from London where he is based.
Representatives of the Vanuatu West Papua Independence Committee, who are organising his trip, made sure the media was present only during a welcome ceremony at the Shefa Provincial Government Headquarters.
West Papuan independence leader Benny Wenda. Photo: RNZI/ Koroi Hawkins
Shefa Province has adopted the people of United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP) as "brothers and sisters of Vanuatu".
The Movement's flag is flown alongside the Shefa Provincial Flag at its Headquarters in Port Vila.
It is not clear if Wenda will meet with government leaders.
He will be in Port Vila for two weeks.
Vanuatu has donated a plot of land along with office facilities for use by ULMWP as its International Office in Port Vila.
Police probing death of man in custody
Tongan police are investigating the death of a man in custody.
They say the death of the 69-year-old at Mu'a Police Station occurred on Monday after he had been detained following a complaint from his wife.
They say the death is not suspicious.
Police Commissioner Shane McLennan said an inquest would be held upon the completion of the police investigation.
Attention to the welfare of prisoners in Tonga has been stepped up by the Police since the death in custody of New Zealand Police Officer Kali Fungavaka in 2013.
Work of UN childrens' group being discussed
Samoa Supreme Court Justice, Vui Clarence Nelson, says a forum on the UN's Rights of the Child Committee is an ideal opportunity to help people's understanding of its work.
The Committee on the Rights of the Child is made up of 18 independent experts who monitor the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
Samoa's representative to the CRC is Justice Nelson.
The committee assesses how well nations act to stop the involvement of children in armed conflict and deal with the sale of children, prostitution, and pornography.
The Supreme Court Justice told RadioPolynesia he hopes to shed light on the CRC's importance to Samoan and Pacific representation in these UN Treaty Bodies.
He said it was "a great opportunity to discourse with children on issues important to their lives. and I applaud the Ombudsman office for taking the initiative on such significant social issues."
Aupito replaces Mahuta in Fiji
New Zealand's foreign minister Nanaia Mahuta will miss next week's Pacific Islands Forum in Fiji after contracting covid-19.
Instead, the country's Associate Foreign Minister Aupito William Sio will travel to Suva.
Aupito says climate change will be at the forefront of the Forum as well as illegal fishing, economic resilience, managing the pandemic, and responding to natural disasters and emergencies.
He says it will be a valuable opportunity to initiate region-wide discussions on key Pacific priorities.
Tongan body worried about pork law
Proposed laws calling for the banning of farrowing crates in New Zealand is concerning the local Tonga Advisory Council.
Chairman Melino Maka said the law, if passed, would inevitably make pork products more expensive impacting Tongans as pork carcesses are commonly offered as tributes in traditional ceremonies.
Advocates said farrowing crates don't offer adequate room and it prevents mother pigs from bonding with piglets.
Maka said Pasifika community groups have not been included in public consultations.
"It just ignores some of the other groups like the Pacific. We should be consulted, and I'm disappointed in our Pacific MPs None of our community, they be aware of this and they should be aware of this issue as none of our community is engaged in this process."