Police officers in Rotuma receive training to improve human rights standards, inter-Samoa summit may be moved over quakes.
Rotuma police receive human rights training
Police officers in Rotuma have received training to improve human rights standards on the island.
The training is specifically designed to talk to the needs of various issues that are faced on the Island to ensure that police officers are better equipped and informed to safeguard the rights of community members.
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Director of Summary Prosecution, Fisi Tausia Nasario, said as a member of the police force and a son of Rotuma, he was proud to open the workshop and its focus on modernising policing techniques through a whole-of-community approach.
The first day of the interactive training concentrated on topics such as use of force, video recorded interviews, and the rights of suspects in detention.
The second day concentrated on strengthening knowledge towards how police communicate and handle all matters related to sexual and gender-based violence in Rotuma.
It is part of greater initiative of ensuring that all officers follow the same processes and procedures to protect the rights of all survivors.
Inter-Samoa summit could be moved over quakes
With American Samoa under a State of Emergency due to the earthquakes in Manu'a island, the governor, Lemanu Peleti Mauga has asked the Samoa government to postpone next month's inter-Samoa summit to October.
Lemanu says Samoa is aware of the earthquake situation in the Manu'a island group, and American Samoa needs to focus on this.
Lemanu also says that there are other pressing issues in American Samoa but didn't elaborate further.
Samoa has yet to respond to the request.
French Polynesia development boss sacked
The first-ever head of French Polynesia's Economic Development Agency has been sacked a day after his appointment.
A government statement says Stephane Durand was dismissed after it became known that he had intentionally withheld important information during the application process.
It has emerged that he had been probed when he was with the civil aviation authorities and subsequently lost his job.
The government says this has undermined the trust needed.
The agency is linked to the economics ministry and tasked with developing sustainable growth and creating an environment conducive for new employment opportunities.
Marianas' clean-up plan for toxic site
The Northern Marianas has set aside $US2 million to clean-up leftover debris or any toxic materials on the island of Tinian that arose from a grass fire in June.
Then-acting governor Jude Hofschneider, declared a major disaster and state of significant emergency on Tinian because of the out of control fire and toxic fumes.
It reached a location where waste and debris from Super Typhoon Yutu was being sorted and stored for disposal.
Much of the waste and debris included white goods waste, e-waste, tyres, and batteries.
NZ Defence personnel to help Tonga recovery project
New Zealand will partner with Tonga to further support resilience and recovery from natural disasters, with a deployment of New Zealand Defence Force personnel for engineering and rebuilding projects.
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Defence Minister Peeni Henare have announced Exercise Tropic Twilight will take place in Tonga in 2023.
The 2022 exercise has just been completed in Niue.
Ms Mahuta says humanitarian assistance following the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic eruption and tsunami was delivered through MFAT funding and NZDF personnel in January.
And Exercise Tropic Twilight next year will do the same.
She says the 2023 exercise will assist the ongoing recovery and rebuild and contribute to a stable, prosperous and resilient Pacific.
