Benny Wenda’s Story Early life As a young child in the 1970s, Benny Wenda’s world was his village in the remote highlands of West Papua. Life consisted of tending gardens with his mother among the Lani people who, he says, ‘lived at peace with nature in the mountains’. In 1977 that life changed dramatically. That…
The Director of Communications at the Human Rights Law Center in Australia urges the Australian government to “introduce laws that would minimise the risk of Australian policing or military assistance supporting human rights violators.” The Australian government funds and trains Detatchment (‘Densus’) 88, an Indonesian anti terrorism unit which has been used to attack peaceful…
Driving in Honiara is an interesting experience for me. In Australia, I didn’t get my license until I was 27. I didn’t mind the driving so much, just the fact that there were other cars on the road. I found it hard to deal with the pressure of having to go fast, to always be…
The beach at Bonege 2 (sometimes spelt Bonegi) is the kind that people remember. I have often seen its twin, staring at me from postcard racks as I flip the stand around while waiting for a plane at the airport or a drink at a tourist café. It’s the kind of beach that people shouldn’t…
Kastom Gaden Association (KGA) is continuing to distribute planting materials to those affected by the recent flash floods in Honiara and Guadalcanal. “As an advocator of food security and rural livelihood, our assistance in this cause is part of our efforts to honour the commitment we were established to do,” a statement from the organisation…
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services Dr. Lester Ross officially launched the Mass-Drug Administration, a strategy aiming to eliminate trachoma in Solomon Islands in the Western provincial capital Gizo on 11 June 2014 with the theme “YUMI DRINKIM MERESIN FO STOPEM TRACHOMA”. The official launching was attended by the British…
Rapist told his actions are ‘cowardly’ A MAN who raped a disabled girl in her bedroom on two occasions was jailed for 14 years, yesterday. And Justice Stephen Pallaras told the accused, who cannot be named because he was closely related to the victim, that his actions were cowardly. “It is difficult to imagine more…
THE G’Day Solomon Islands Film Festival continues today with another popular Australian movie, ‘Strictly Ballroom’. Deputy Australian High Commissioner, Dr Dave Peebles encouraged everyone, not just lovers of dance, to come along. “Strictly Ballroom is a spectacular Australian comedy filled with dancing, drama and just a little bit of romance” he said. “This film will…
THE Solomon Islands Electoral Commission (SIEC) and the Media Association of Solomon Islands (MASI) will hold a workshop tomorrow, aimed at developing a Code of Conduct for journalists covering the National Elections. The first of its kind in Solomon Islands, the workshop will give journalists a chance to have their say on the new Code…
A YOUNG man who allegedly had sexual intercourse with an underage girl last year at her parent’s home is facing a pre-trial conference next. The case will return to court on July 2 where the next step in this case will be decided as to whether a principal magistrate will conduct the conference on that…