Nauru

Nauru is home to hundreds of refugees who were processed on Nauru after trying to seek asylum in Australia.

The Police Commissioner Corey Caleb says refugees regularly fabricate allegations of assault and sexual assault as they know these will be publicised.

A flag raising ceremony was held yesterday to commemorate the republic's 48^th independence.

The flag raising was followed by a marching parade of more than 12 groups.

The parade was led by the police.

The President of Nauru His Excellency Baron Waqa spoke at the event, wishing Australia well on their National Day and commenting on the close friendship Nauru and Australia shares.  

Guests were entertained by Nauruan hula, fire and knife dancers, and a special choir performance by the President and Australian High Commission staff.

However Justice Minister David Adeang said violence and unlawful acts will not be tolerated and these actions will only create unnecessary tension between refugees and locals.

The slogan for the event is ‘Nauru Bwiema. A host of events have been held over the week to commemorate Independence Day as well as the 70th anniversary of the return from Chuuk. The steering committee has released the official programme for celebrations

PROGRAM OF EVENTS

25th – 29th Jan (Mon-Fri)–Tribal Sports Events

(Organised by Secretary Sports)

25th Jan – 1st Feb (Mon-Mon) 4:00pm – Fishing Competition

(Organised by NFMRA)

29th Jan (Fri) – Bingo Bonanza

(Organised by Virgita Roland)

UN Women has been running a series of workshops, hoping to increase women's participation in politics before the elections later this year.

Its development manager in Nauru Erana Aliklik said the mindset of men as head of the house and country was pervasive and needs to be changed.

The Fiji Volunteer Service started in 2012 and has seen Fiji provide various assistance to Pacific Island countries in building capacity in human resources.

Present at the handover was the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations, Semi Koroilavesau.

 The scheme also further strengthens Fiji’s engagement with the islands in the region.

“Fiji has sufficient and proven capacity in areas of education, public administration, disaster management, peacekeeping, social protection and environment, “Koroilavesau said.

Elections are to be held later this year, and the United Nations has held a series of workshops hoping to increase the participation of women.

Ms Hubert says women are more educated than men in Nauru, but both women and men see Parliament as a man's job.

In a congratulatory message to the President of Nauru, Baron Waqa, Bainimarama spoke of the strong relations shared between Fiji and Nauru.

He says the two countries have over the years built a solid and steady relationship which he is confident will continue to mutually enhance this year.

Its acting director of political governance and security, Sione Tekiteki, says observers will be at the election in Vanuatu in two weeks.

Mr Tekiteki says the Forum is aware of the increased regional and international concern about the state of law and order in Nauru as well as allegations of political interference in the judiciary.