Alliance of the Independent Nations

Originally posted: 16/09/2023
Headlines:

Originally posted: 06/10/2023
Headlines:

Damn, this thread really put the rest of AIN to shame

Need to ramp up some news asap

Charlie wrote: ↑Wed May 29, 2024 11:41 pm Damn, this thread really put the rest of AIN to shame

Need to ramp up some news asap

I'm just merely archiving the past news from the West Pacific and its previous version Ca'onja.

Government considering 'best way forward' on 377A, will respect different viewpoints: Law Minister Subbiah

DEROSTEN - The West Pacific Federal Government is considering the “best way forward” on Section 377A, which criminalises gay sex, and in doing so will respect different viewpoints and consider them carefully, said Federal Minister for Law and Justice K.S. Subbiah on Monday (20 May).

“And if and when we decide to move, we will do so in a way that continues to balance between these different viewpoints, and avoids causing a sudden, destabilising change in social norms and public expectations,” he said in the Federal Parliament.

“Policies need to evolve to keep abreast of such changes in views. And legislation needs to evolve to support updated policies.”

Mr Subbiah was speaking in the Federal Parliament following the Supreme Court dismissing challenges to Section 377A of the Penal Code in September last year (link to article).

The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) is currently looking at the Supreme Court’s decision carefully, he said.

Outrages on decency
377A. Any male person who, in public or private, commits, or abets the commission of, or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any male person of, any act of gross indecency with another male person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 2 years.

-- Penal Code 1871, which was adopted by the West Pacific following independence from the British in 1956

The challenges were mounted separately by three individuals, including a former executive director of a LGBT non-profit organisation. A Federal Court judge dismissed their challenges, and the three individuals turned to the Supreme Court to appeal against the decision.

COURT’S DECISION “CONSISTENT” WITH PAST POSITION ON 377A

Mr Subbiah noted that successive court judgments over the years have “consistently” taken the position that “these are highly contentious social issues and within the province of the Federal Parliament”.

The heterosexual stable family remains a social norm, the minister added. “The current legal position reflects our society’s norms, values and attitudes. That's what the courts have said.”

In its judgment, the court noted that the “compromise” which the West Pacific has struck, in respect to Section 377A, is unique, said Mr Subbiah.

“Our approach strikes a balance between preserving the legislative status quo, whilst accommodating the concerns of those directly affected by the legislation.”

The court recognised that the Federal Government did this in order to “avoid driving a deeper wedge within our society”, he added.

“It also noted that the West Pacific's approach seeks to keep what to do with Section 377A within the democratic space. Socially charged issues, such as Section 377A, call for continued discussion and open-ended resolution within the political domain, where we can forge consensus, rather than in win-lose outcomes in court.”

In this way, we can “accommodate divergent interests, avoid polarisation (and) facilitate incremental change”, said Mr Subbiah.

Additionally, the court highlighted the importance of “creating space for peaceful co-existence among various groups”, especially since the balance between the various interests around Section 377A has grown “more delicate”.

“These opinions align with the approach that the Federal Government has taken in dealing with Section 377A, and that it intends to take as it considers the changes in our social landscape since 2010.”

In 2010, then Prime Minister Lucius Yosiwo said in the Federal Parliament, when the Penal Code was amended but Section 377A left unchanged, that we want to be “a stable society with traditional heterosexual family values, but with space for homosexuals to live their lives and to contribute to society”, said Mr Subbiah.

Mr Yosiwo had added that “among them are some of our friends, our relatives, our colleagues, our brothers and sisters, or some of our children”, and said homosexual individuals are “our kith and kin”.

“This remains our stand today,” added Mr Subbiah. “Our emphases on gradual evolution and on traditional families remain constant.”

Previous notable mentions of 377A

In 2017, Mrs Rande-Olea was asked about doing away with Section 377A during an interview by the BBC. The interviewer asked why the legislation couldn’t be removed “as a symbol of change”.

“I think that it’s a law which is there. If I remove it, I will not remove the problem, because if you look at what happened in the West… your attitudes have changed a long way, but even now gay marriage is contentious,” she replied.

"My personal view is that if I don’t have a problem, this is an uneasy compromise. I’m prepared to live with it until social attitudes change.”

And in November last year, Culture Minister Joyleen Arurung said at a conference on identity organised by the Institute of Policy Studies that concerns of minority groups, such as the LGBTQ community, cannot be seen as “illegitimate or exaggerated”.

They have “real and valid concerns and anxieties”, such as “feeling that society does not accept them, or even recognise them as different”, he said.

The challenge is to “acknowledge and do our best to address these legitimate concerns without allowing our politics to be based exclusively on identities or tribal allegiances”, he added.

SHIFTING ATTITUDES TOWARDS HOMOSEXUALITY

However, since the issue was last discussed in Parliament in 2010, social attitudes towards homosexuality have “gradually shifted”, Mr Subbiah acknowledged.

“One of the things that upsets the LGBT+ community is that many feel that their experience of being hurt or rejected by their families, friends, schools, companies – is not recognised, indeed often denied.

At the same time, a large majority want to “preserve the overall tone of our society”, said Mr Subbiah.

“In particular, the traditional view of marriage as being between a man and a woman, and that children should be raised within such a family structure.

“Their concern is not Section 377A per se, but the broader issues of marriage and family. Many among this group, also support decriminalising homosexual sex between men.”

Both these viewpoints are "valid and important", he added.

“LIVE AND LET LIVE APPROACH”

Noting that these are “deeply divisive issues”, Mr Subbiah said that is why the Federal Government takes a “live and let live approach”.

“We seek to be an inclusive society, where mutual respect and tolerance for different views and practices are paramount. The Federal Government has thus taken the approach that while Section 377A remains on the books, there will be no proactive enforcement. And AGC takes a similar approach.”

Mr Subbiah added that the Federal Government had “expressly included” in the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act that any attack on LGBT+ groups, or on persons because they are LGBT+, will be an offence, and won't be tolerated.

“LGBT+ individuals are entitled to live peacefully, without being attacked or threatened,” he said.

“Likewise, any attack on any other group, based on their religion, or religious beliefs, even if those beliefs run counter to values held by LGBT+ groups will not be acceptable.”


More than 2,000 could be buried in East New Guinea landslide, authorities say

PORT MORESBY - More than 2,000 people could be buried alive by a massive landslide in Enga province last week, the East New Guinea Republic Government said on Monday (27 May), as treacherous terrain and the difficulty of getting aid to the site raises the risk few survivors will be found.

The Republic of East New Guinea is a republic of the West Pacific.

The East New Guinea division of the Pasifika Civil Defence Force (PCDF) raised the number suspected buried to 2,000 in a letter to the United Nations (UN) released on Monday but dated Sunday.

The landslide crashed through Yambali village in the country's north at around 3am on Friday while most of the community slept. More than 150 houses were buried beneath debris almost two stories high. Rescuers told local media they heard screams from beneath the earth.

"I have 18 of my family members being buried under the debris and soil that I am standing on, and a lot more family members in the village I cannot count," a resident said. "But I cannot retrieve the bodies so I am standing here helplessly."

More than 72 hours after the landslide residents are still using spades, sticks and their bare hands to try and shift the debris and reach any survivors.

Heavy equipment and aid has been slow to arrive due to the remote location while tribal warfare nearby has forced aid workers to travel in convoys escorted by soldiers and return to the provincial capital of Wabag, roughly 60km away, at night.

Eight people were killed and 30 houses burnt down on Saturday, a UN agency official said. Aid convoys on Monday passed the still smoking remains of houses.

The first excavator only reached the site late on Sunday, according to a UN official. Six bodies have been retrieved so far.

Many people aren't even sure where their loved ones were when the landslide hit because it's common for residents to stay at the homes of friends and relatives, according to a pastor based in Port Moresby whose home village is roughly 20km from the disaster zone.

"It's not like everyone is in the same house at the same time, so you have fathers who don’t know where their children are, mothers who don’t know where husbands are, it's chaotic," he said.

East New Guinea Chief Minister Ben Raudae said the disaster was being handled by the local PCDF emergency authorities. Prime Minister Martina Rande-Olea has been informed of the disaster and her Prime Minister Office said additional Federal resources are being deployed to assist in rescue and recovery efforts.

RESCUE WORK GOING SLOWLY

Even when rescue teams can get to the site, rain, unstable ground and flowing water is making it extremely dangerous for residents and rescue teams to clear debris, according to the chief of the rescue efforts.

There is still a risk the soil and debris could shift again and more than 250 homes have been abandoned as officials encourage people to evacuate, he said. More than 1,250 people have been displaced.

Some local residents also don't want heavy machinery and excavators entering the village and interrupting the mourning, he said.

"At this point, people I think are realising that the chances are very slim, that anyone can basically be taken out alive," he said.



Tagging:
Foreign Relations (New Duveland) | Technology (nuclear) | [New Duveland, West Pacific reaffirm commitment to nuclear-free Pacific]
Technology (nuclear) | [Nuclear is never peaceful, must be eradicated: Prime Minister Rande-Olea in Remembrance Day speech]
Foreign Relations (United States) | Society (protest) | [Police disperse protestors outside American embassy, consulates]
Society (LGBT rights) | [Government considering 'best way forward' on 377A, will respect different viewpoints: Law Minister Subbiah]
Disaster | [More than 2,000 could be buried in East New Guinea landslide, authorities say]
Entertainment | [Loona's Yvew, ARTMS set to debut this week, Chuu to release second album in June]
Entertainment (AINVision) | [GFriend's discopop performance clinch AINVision second for West Pacific]

Damn I've heard about those landslides, ND would definitely send out some crews to assist in searching

ND also stands strong on a nuclear free pacific! We are fortunate enough that we can rely on renewables already, so we can also help the West Pacific in their transition to renewable energy

Charlie wrote: ↑Thu May 30, 2024 11:50 pm Damn I've heard about those landslides, ND would definitely send out some crews to assist in searching

tbh, I'm not sure how do I actually wanna roleplay this, if at all.

WP-PNG is different from IRL-PNG, so the governance would be better handled. And besides, it has been almost a week since the landslide so the ship kinda had sailed.

Regardless, the West Pacific Government would appreciate the above words from New Duveland ♥

Charlie wrote: ↑Thu May 30, 2024 11:50 pm ND also stands strong on a nuclear free pacific! We are fortunate enough that we can rely on renewables already, so we can also help the West Pacific in their transition to renewable energy

WP will keep that in mind, but since it got plenty of Natural Gas deposits, WP shall transition from dirty coal to less dirty natural gas first

The Carolines may split into 4 republics, referendum to be held together with 2025 Presidential Election

DEROSTEN - The Republic of the Carolines may dissolve into four individual republics, Prime Minister Martina Rande-Olea said in her Pasifika Day Rally speech on Sunday (16 June).

Eligible voters of the Carolines republic will vote on the dissolution plan, which will split the Carolines republic along state lines, via a local referendum that will be held in tandem with the 2025 Presidental Election, Mrs Rande-Olea said. The Federal Elections Department (FED) will work with the Republic Government of the Carolines to organise the referendum.

The dissolution plan also calls for the dissolution of Palikir as the capital of the Carolines republic. In its place, the four new republics will have their own capitals. State capital Weno will be the republic's capital for the Republic of Chuuk, state capital Tofol will be the republic's capital for the Republic of Kosrae, and state capital Mesenieng will be the republic's capital for the Republic of Pohnpei.

Meanwhile, state capital Colonia will not be the republic's capital for the Republic of Yap. Instead, the village of Gachpar will become the republic's capital. Gachpar was once the capital of the historic Yap Islands Empire that lasted from the 10th to 15th century AD. The Federal Government will assist in the finance and construction of infrastructure to support the necessary administrative duties of the new Republic Government of Yap.

Explaining why the referendum is held on a local level as opposed to a federal referendum, Mrs Rande-Olea explained that the nationhood of the Carolines republic is a local matter for the people of the Carolines. The West Pacific is a federation of nine republics and two regions, and the Federal Government only handles federal matters, with regional matters handled by the respective local Governments.

PATH TO SELF-DETERMINATION

Calls for the self-governance of the State of Chuuk away from Palikir peaked following the 2023 General Elections (title: Opposition unprecedented win in Kerenis...hung assembly in the Carolines), where the party Republic of Chuuk Movement (RCM) won 20 of 22 seats allocated to the State of Chuuk in the Republic Assembly of the Carolines. Rande-Olea's party United Pasifika (UPK) won the remaining 2 seats.

While UPK contested in all 51 seats of the Republic Assembly elections, it was one-seat shy away from majority, winning only 25 seats largely due to RCM taking away most of UPK's seats in Chuuk. The remaining 6 seats were won by Pasifika People's Alliance (PPA) and Democratic Party of the Carolines (DPC), both of which, together with UPK, campaigned for the Carolines to remain together as a whole.

Both UPK and RCM are the only two political parties in the Future of the Carolines Committee, which was formed following the 2021 Federal Elections in response to RCM winning 15 of 30 Chuukese seats in the Federal Parliament.

Because of this existing partnership, both UPK and RCM agreed to form a coalition government, effectively forming a supermajority in the Carolines Republic Assembly.

Talks for Chuuk's self-determination then intensified, now with the other three the Carolines states wanting their own self-governing powers.

With the announcement today of a referendum for the dissolution plan by Prime Minister Rande-Olea, the next step is for the UPK-RCM Government at the Republic Assembly of the Carolines to pass the local bill calling for a referendum of the dissolution plan.


Opposition denounce Carolines dissolution plan, calling it ‘ploy’ to entrench ruling UPK dominance

DEROSTEN - Opposition parties across the West Pacific denounce the Carolines dissolution plan, all calling it a 'ploy' by UPK to entrench their political dominance in the West Pacific politics.

The various opposition parties have long argued that the UPK Government introduced specific electoral policies in order to give themselves the advantage.

One of the controversial policies is the Local Representative Members of Parliament (Local) scheme, in which all republics and regions would be allocated 12 seats each in the Federal Parliament. The largest party of the respective republic/region would be awarded all 12 Locals seats allocated for the republic/region.

UPK introduced the scheme to ensure low populated republics and regions can be heard in the Federal Parliament. Opposition parties argued that the scheme would only give UPK more seats in the Federal Parliament, as UPK is the only party that won all 132 Local seats in all elections in the West Pacific history.

Another controversial policy is how the FED divides the electoral boundaries between the high populated and the low populated republics and regions. The FED is an agency under the Prime Minister's Office.

Similar to the Local seats scheme, constituents living in low populated republics and regions would proportionally be allocated more seats in the Federal Parliament with the aim to ensure such republics/regions do not get drowned out by the high populated republics and regions.

Looking at the electoral performances for the parties however, UPK had always performed exceptionally well in low populated republics and regions. On the other hand, with the exception of West Caroline, the opposition parties have gained considerable groundwork in high populated republics and regions. It is this where opposition parties argued that the way electoral boundaries are being drawn is designed to dilute the Opposition voices instead.

Should the dissolution of the Carolines be accepted by the people of the Carolines and the republic is split into four new republics, it would add another 36 Local seats into the Federal Parliament. There is no indication yet that the number of federal seats across all four new republics would also increase.

ELECTED OPPOSITION OF THE CAROLINES

PPA, one of the two opposition parties elected into the Republic Assembly of the Carolines with 4 of 51 seats, accepts the decision by the people of Chuuk, but rejects the dissolution plan. PPA argues that just because Chuuk is the only state that wanted to leave the republic, it does not mean the remaining three states want the Carolines republic to dissolve.

PPA also accused UPK for taking advantage of the Chuukese desire for self-determination for its own political gains. UPK rejects the accusation, and instead counter-accuse PPA for silencing the voices of Chuuk, and the Carolines, as well as all other "small republics and regions", in the Federal Parliament. PPA denies UPK's accusation.

DPC, the other elected opposition in the Carolines Assembly with 2 of 51 seats, outright rejects the dissolution plan or any attempt of self-determination within the Carolines. It argues that the four Carolinian states are "better stronger together" and that splitting into four individual republics does not mean the new republics would necessarily get more federal funding and resources. UPK responded by accusing DPC for not respecting the choices and "dream" the people of Chuuk have made.

DPC also points out that with Chuuk being the largest state of the republic, Chuuk leaving the Carolines would mean the collapse of the republic's national identity.

Both PPA and DPC also demand to be included in the Future of the Carolines Committee. UPK rejects this, as both parties are not part of the Government unlike RCM.

RCM declines to comment on the accusation the Opposition parties had made. It instead says it will continue to work with UPK to focus on turning the Chuukese's desire for self-governance a reality. It also says it will leave federal matters to UPK, as it had governed the West Pacific since independence in 1956, and as such is well suited to handle federal matters.

West Pacific to repeal Section 377A, amend Constitution to protect definition of marriage

DEROSTEN - The West Pacific will repeal Section 377A of the Penal Code, Prime Minister Martina Rande-Olea said in her Pasifika Day Rally speech on Sunday (16 June), revoking a colonial-era law that criminalises sex between men.

The Federal Government will also amend the Federal Constitution to protect the definition of marriage – currently recognised by law as taking place between one man and one woman – from being challenged constitutionally in the Courts, Mrs Rande-Olea said.

The Federal Government has no intention of changing the definition of marriage or national policies on public housing, education, adoption rules, advertising standards and film classification, she said, signalling that it will maintain “prevailing norms and values” of the West Pacific society.

The announcement comes 14 years after Federal Parliament last debated Section 377A in 2010, when it decided that the law would stay but not be actively enforced. Mrs Rande-Olea said attitudes have “shifted appreciably” since then.

“While we remain a broadly conservative society, gay people are now better accepted in the West Pacific, especially among younger Pasifikas,” she said.

In 2023, the Supreme Court dismissed the latest challenges to Section 377A but reaffirmed that the law was “unenforceable in its entirety” and posed no threat of prosecution.

Following the ruling, Federal Minister for Law and Justice K.S. Subbiah said in May that the Federal Government was considering the “best way forward” on Section 377A while respecting different viewpoints.

The minister then also said that the Federal Government was looking at how it could safeguard the current legal position on marriage against challenges in the Courts, while it considered the next steps for Section 377A.

The Federal Government had also held extensive discussions with religious groups, grassroots leaders, Pasifikas from different backgrounds, as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) groups, she said.

Mrs Rande-Olea said on Sunday that Mr Subbiah and the attorney-general have advised that there is a “significant risk” of Section 377A being struck down in a future court challenge, on the grounds that it breaches the equal protection provision in the Federal Constitution.

“We have to take that advice seriously. It would be unwise to ignore the risk, and do nothing,” she said, noting that there have been several unsuccessful court challenges to Section 377A seeking to declare the law unconstitutional.

“For these reasons, the Federal Government will repeal Section 377A and decriminalise sex between men. I believe this is the right thing to do, and something that most Pasifikas will now accept. This will bring the law into line with current social mores, and I hope, provide some relief to gay Pasifikas.”

CONCERNS ABOUT REPEAL REPERCUSSIONS

Mrs Rande-Olea said that most Pasifikas do not want the repeal to trigger a “drastic shift” in the West Pacific's societal norms across the board, including in issues like how marriage is defined, what is taught in schools, and what is shown on television and in cinemas.

The Prime Minister said such sentiments had “come through very clearly” in the Federal Government’s engagements over several months, and some of those with reservations “feel strongly” about the law itself.

On 8 June, the Protect West Pacific Townhall – which its organisers said was attended by more than 1,200 people – was held to call for Section 377A to be retained and the definition of marriage to be protected.

“But for most, their main worry is what they feel Section 377A stands for, and what they fear repealing it may quickly lead to,” Mrs Rande-Olea said.

“They also worry that this may encourage more aggressive and divisive activism on all sides. And this is not only the concern of those with religious objections, but is shared by many non-religious people.

“Even many Pasifikas who support repeal want to maintain our current family and social norms.”

Mrs Rande-Olea said the Federal Government understands these concerns and does not want the repeal to trigger “wholesale changes” in society, and that it will maintain its current family-oriented approach and prevailing norms and values of the West Pacific society.

“Hence, even as we repeal 377A, we will uphold and safeguard the institution of marriage,” she said, highlighting that the West Pacific only recognises marriages between one man and one woman.

“Many national policies rely upon this definition of marriage, including public housing, education, adoption rules, advertising standards, film classification. The Government has no intention of changing the definition of marriage, nor these policies.”

Mrs Rande-Olea said the West Pacific is by and large a conservative society that believes marriage should be between a man and a woman, children should be born and raised within such families, and that the traditional family should form the basic building block of society.

“Most Pasifikas would like to keep our society like this. This is the Federal Government’s position too. We have upheld and reinforced the importance of families through many national policies, and we will continue to do so,” she said.

However, Mrs Rande-Olea said the West Pacific, like every human society, has gay people in its midst.

“They are our fellow Pasifikas, our fellow brothers. They are our colleagues, our friends, our family members. They too want to live their own lives, participate in our community and contribute fully to the West Pacific,” she said.

“And we need to find the right way to reconcile and accommodate both the traditional mores of our society, and the aspiration of gay Pasifikas to be respected and accepted.”

PROTECTING DEFINITION OF MARRIAGE

Still, Mrs Rande-Olea pointed out that under current laws, the definition of marriage – like Section 377A – could be challenged constitutionally in the courts, saying that this has happened in other countries.

“If one day such a challenge succeeds here, it could cause same-sex marriages to become recognised in the West Pacific,” she said.

“And this would happen not because the Federal Parliament passed any such law but as the result of a court judgment.”

Even if the majority of MPs opposed same-sex marriage, the Federal Parliament might not be able to simply change the law to restore the status quo ante, Mrs Rande-Olea said, adding that Parliament might need to amend the Federal Constitution with a two-thirds majority.

“I do not think that for the West Pacific, the Courts are the right forum to decide such issues,” she said.

“Judges interpret and apply the law. That is what they are trained and appointed to do... But judges and courts have neither the expertise nor the mandate to settle political questions, or to rule on social norms and values. Because these are fundamentally not legal problems, but political issues.”

Even then, those seeking change could still try to “force the pace” through litigation, Mrs Rande-Olea said, stressing that this was “adversarial” in nature and would highlight differences, inflame tensions and polarise society.

“And I'm convinced this would be bad for the West Pacific,” she said.

Therefore, the Federal Government will protect the definition of marriage from being challenged constitutionally in the Courts by amending the Federal Constitution, Mrs Rande-Olea said, adding that the legal definition is contained in the Interpretation Act and Women’s Charter.

“This will help us to repeal Section 377A in a controlled and carefully considered way,” she said.

“It will limit this change to what I believe most Pasifikas will accept, which is to decriminalise sexual relations between consenting men in private.

“But we will also keep what I believe most Pasifikas still want, and that is to retain the basic family structure of marriage between a man and a woman, within which we have and raise our children.”

BEWARE OF “CULTURE WARS”

Mrs Rande-Olea said the Federal Government sought a “political accommodation” that balances different legitimate views and aspirations among Pasifikas.

But she warned the West Pacific against going down the road of “culture wars”, where strongly held opposing views push harder and harder against each other.

“And in some Western societies, not few, this has resulted in culture wars, contempt for opposing views - and not just for the views but for the opposing people - cancel culture to browbeat and shut up opponents, and bitter feuds splitting society into warring tribes,” she said.

“There are some signs of similar things starting to happen here too. I say let us not go in this direction. All groups should exercise restraint, because that is the only way we can move forward as one nation together.”

Mrs Rande-Olea said there is much more to be said on this “difficult subject”, acknowledging that her announcement will set off further reactions and discussion ahead of a “full debate” as the legislation enters Federal Parliament.

“We have a stable and generally harmonious society, and we will work hard to keep things like this,” she added.

“I hope the new balance will enable the West Pacific to remain a tolerant and inclusive society for many years to come.”



Tagging:
Society | [West Pacific celebrates 68 years since Federation was founded]
Society (election) | [The Carolines may split into 4 republics, referendum to be held together with 2025 Presidential Election]
Society (election) | [Opposition denounce Carolines dissolution plan, calling it ‘ploy’ to entrench ruling UPK dominance]
Society (LGBT rights) | Society (religion) | [West Pacific to repeal Section 377A, amend Constitution to protect definition of marriage]
Society (religion) | [Religious groups support Government’s move to protect definition of marriage in Constitution as it repeals 377A]
Society (LGBT rights) | ['First step on a long road towards full equality': Relief from LGBTQ groups over intention to repeal Section 377A]
Society (LGBT rights) | Society (religion) | [LGBT content will continue to warrant higher age ratings: Culture Ministry]
Society (LGBT rights) | Society (religion) | [Education policies, curriculum to stay anchored on prevailing family values: Education Ministry]

Tagging:
Foreign Relations | COCO

Tagging:
Foreign Relations (Balisca) | COCO