AUCKLAND (Pacific Media Watch / Pacific Scoop): Australian suppression of secret papers about Indonesian atrocities in Timor-Leste, "behind bars" protests against Indonesian oppression in West Papua and a controversial "hate speech" ruling against Fiji Television are among topics covered by Pacific Scoop and Pacific Media Watch this week.
Pacific Scoop: Australia wins legal battle to suppress secret papers on East Timor atrocities
The Australian federal government has successfully blocked the release of secret archives that would reveal Australian knowledge of Indonesian war crimes in East Timor, arguing that relations with Jakarta are presently too strained to cope with the potential embarrassment for both countries.
Administrative Appeals Tribunal President Justice Duncan Kerr said that the National Archives was right to deny University of NSW Associate Professor Clinton Fernandes access to Australian diplomatic papers and intelligence on Indonesian military operations in East Timor from more than 32 years ago. >> Read more
Café Pacific: MIDA’s chair finds Fiji TV guilty of ‘hate speech’ and blasts bloggers
OPINION: SO THERE we have it. Fiji’s Media Industry Development Authority chairperson Ashwin Raj is going to stamp out all hate and race speech in his country with the stroke of a decree-backed pen.
A momentous mind shift is going to happen just like that. The media “chilling” climate will ensure this unfolds. He thinks ...
Raj is “quite perturbed by the level of public discourse” in Fiji as the country moves toward the return-to-democracy general election on September 17. >> Read more
Pacific Scoop: Protesters stage ‘behind bars’ vigil as part of West Papuan action
Protesters have taken to the streets and the gates of Indonesian embassies in West Papua, Australia and New Zealand as part of a global day of action to free West Papuan prisoners.
At least five protests took place on the global day. Indigenous Papuans and Malukans continue to be arrested for peaceful activities such as raising the Papuan Morning Star flag or attending demonstrations and public events that express dissent.
A group of protesters supporting the call for the release of political prisoners staged a mock “imprisonment” vigil in Auckland’s Aotea Square last night with some West Papuans wearing handcuffs. >> Read more
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