tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546271368009403091.post8251236412173601733..comments2010-05-03T11:00:50.632-04:00Jonathan Eyler-Wervehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07738808859636150098info@globalintegrity.orgBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546271368009403091.post-60646043759360008222010-05-02T06:28:11.259-04:002010-05-02T06:28:11.259-04:00So optimism over Tonga respecting the rule of law appears to have been misguided. The Attorney General has now resigned and feels unable to explain further until he has safely left the jurisdiction. see<br />http://tvnz.co.nz/world-news/tongan-govt-denies-judiciary-interference-3505285Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546271368009403091.post-89829577470034527332010-04-19T03:21:06.289-04:002010-04-19T03:21:06.289-04:00The Tongan Attorney General is showing independence from political influences in the best tradition of States which respect the rule of law. <br /><br />The enquiry report on the Princess Ashika sinking has still not be publicly released (it is being translated before being tabled in Parliament). However the commissioning of prosecutors with recognised credibility from Australia and New Zealand to act on criminal conduct it discloses may restore some public confidence in a government which seems to have been appallingly nonchalant about the well-being of its people.<br /><br />http://www.matangitonga.to/article/20100415_tonga_iap.shtmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546271368009403091.post-33664836219576915262010-04-02T18:04:01.866-04:002010-04-02T18:04:01.866-04:00The members of the Commission of Enquiry are unlikely to be welcomed back by the Tongan elite if this preview of the Ashika sinking report is accurate.<br />http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/national/3544357/Ashika-could-happen-againAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546271368009403091.post-26091547482615233102010-03-07T21:32:52.988-05:002010-03-07T21:32:52.988-05:00The third item on this Radio NZ broadcast referring to the Princess Ashika enquiry raises interesting questions about why local media present at the enquiry absented themselves whenever Government Ministers were giving evidence. Openness and transparency are essential for good government. Good government is unlikely if the media will not / can not get involved in anything which could be seen as criticism of those in authority.<br />http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/national/mwatch/2010/03/mediawatch_for_7_march_2010Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5546271368009403091.post-12999668200623903092010-03-05T15:34:17.039-05:002010-03-05T15:34:17.039-05:00The Tonga Prime Minister&#39;s Office responds to our letter: http://www.matangitonga.to/article/letterscomments/government/20100305_tonga_Norah.shtmlNorah Mallaneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03387713686261731556noreply@blogger.com