PACIFIC BRIEFS: AUTHORITIES ACCUSED OF TORTURE

PAPUA NEW GUINEA – The spokesperson for the global Free West Papua Campaign claims up to 1000 police and military deployed to the Timika region in West Papua have tortured people in the area.

In a statement, Benny Wenda says up to 116 people living in the region surrounding the Freeport McMoran mine have been tortured and detained since the deployment. The deployment was in response to the killing of two police officers in Utikini village last week, in which 13 people have been arrested. Wenda says he believes the deployment is a deliberate attempt to divert public attention away from the killing of five schoolboys in Paniai last month.

CROSS BORDER SMUGGLING INCREASING

PAPUA NEW GUINEA – The Indonesian government says the smuggling of goods from Papua New Guinea is now increasing at an alarming rate. Indonesian defence intelligence officials say the Indonesian-PNG border is rife with illegal smuggling, especially in parts of Merauke, Papua, and Daru in PNG. The Post Courier online says goods such as sea cucumbers and fish stomach, as well as marijuana are often smuggled across the border. There are plans for more meetings with PNG authorities to address these issues especially as the two countries are engaged in many legitimate business activities. Smugglers were reportedly mostly Indonesians and smuggled goods from PNG into Indonesia.

STAFF DON’T WANT EDITOR TO RETURN

SAMOA – Seven workers at the Samoa government-run Savali newspaper have signed a letter to the Prime Minister saying they don’t want the suspended editor, Tupuola Terry Tavita, to return. Tupuola was suspended after he was arrested and charged with one count of attempted rape last week. A source within the newspaper staff says the letter addresses grievances against the editor, including complaints about his behaviour while managing the newspaper. The source alleges Tupuola has no respect for staff when he is angry, and swears in front of female collegues.

RUGBY PLAYER DEPORTED FROM ENGLAND

NEW ZEALAND – A New Zealander who has shone in the English club rugby scene is being deported back to this country by the British Home Office. Rewiti Vaimoso has played on the wing for mid-ranked side Scunthorpe since he moved to the Lincolnshire town almost ten years ago. However, he is being sent home after splitting up with his New Zealand girlfriend, who has British residency rights due to her Scottish relatives. Vaimoso was born in Matamata to a Samoan father and Maori mother. He moved to Britain in 2005. The Scunthorpe club says the deportation is “insensitive”.