Norfolk Island residents want change in political status with Australia

Territory's leaders to seek inscription on the United Nations list of non self-governing territories

Norfolk Island residents request United Nations help to maintain self-rule

ABC NEWS AUSTRALIA

By Nick Grimm

PHOTO: Norfolk Island has had its own Legislative Assembly since 1979.

The Norfolk Island People for Democracy are petitioning the United Nations to protect them from what they consider a takeover by the mainland Australian Government.

Key points:

• Commonwealth moves to close down local legislature June 30
• Group asks UN to uphold their right to self-determination
• Dozens of local jobs lost as Australian Government takes over providing services
• Territories Minister says changes will benefit islanders

The Commonwealth has moved to close down the local legislature on June 30 and replace it with a new regional council under Australian law.

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AUDIO: Norfolk mutiny: Islanders ask UN to help them regain independence from Australian Government (AM)

But a Norfolk Island residents' group devoted to independence from mainland Australia wants the UN to help islanders maintain self-rule.

"For Norfolk Islanders and people here, it takes a hell a lot of to get angry about something but it takes even more for us to express that anger," said Chelsea Evans, member of the Norfolk Island People for Democracy.

The group say their trump card was the bid to ask the UN to uphold their right to self-determination.

And a phone call from New York has brought them confirmation that final preparations were underway to lodge their petition against what they characterised as Australian colonialism.

Lisle Snell, a former chief minister of Norfolk Island and now one of the key figures leading the insurrection against Canberra, said their proposal was not a declaration of independence.

"It's a declaration to seek listing on the decolonisation committee of 24 in New York to give the Norfolk Island the right to self-determination in free association with Australia."

Ms Snell said self-determination was described in the UN Charter.

"And that charter will give the people of Norfolk Island hopefully the right referendum to decide their own future, total independence of Australia or in free association with Australia," she said.

Not all Norfolk Islanders oppose the end of self-government. Some believe the takeover will bring the island better services and infrastructure.

But local anger has been growing.

Roads and other public spaces, including World Heritage-listed buildings have been defaced with the word 'mutiny'.

The end of self-government is already hitting some Norfolk Islanders hard, with dozens of locals losing their jobs as the Australian Government takes over providing many services on the island.

"When you take 50 people and drop them into employment pool on an island that traditionally has no unemployment, and then all of the sudden, there's 50 unemployed people, you can only imagine how horrifying that is," Troy Hamilton-Irvine said, another member of Norfolk Island People for Democracy.

Territories Minister Paul Fletcher has argued the changes will benefit Norfolk Island, with the economy of the island expected to grow by about 14 per cent, and residents able to claim social security and Medicare.

Administrator 'bans any criticism of Australia'

The Norfolk Islanders' petition to the UN was personally delivered by leading human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson.

He said it would take some time for the UN to make their decision.

"There is a special committee on decolonisation which will consider the matter later this year," Mr Robertson said.

He said there were a number of consequences for the islanders being forced to join mainland Australia.

"They will forced to sing Advance Australia Fair over their preferred national anthem, which is God Save The Queen," Mr Robertson said.

"They will be kicked out of the Commonwealth parliamentary unit, they won't be able to compete under their own flag at the Commonwealth Games, they will have to join an Australian team.

"What is more, I think, rather pathetic in fact in Australia's conduct, the first thing the Australian administrator did was to have the radio station ban any criticism of Australia.

"This is typical colonial behaviour isn't it?"

A number of people have noted that Norfolk Island has been financially propped up by the Australian Government and have questioned whether they could survive as an autonomous state.

Mr Robertson said that the island has had financial problems, but he said there were different ways to deal with that problem, "without ending democracy".

U.S. should apologize for purchase of Virgin Islands - territorial ML

U.S. SHOULD APOLOGIZE TO VIRGIN ISLANDS AT 2017 CENTENNIAL FOR PAST SIN, SENATOR NELSON SAYS

Virgin Islands consortium

 ST. CROIX — During a Committee on Government Services, Consumer and Veterans Affairs hearing held on Thursday, Positive Nelson, the veteran Independent Citizens Movement (I.C.M.) senator, said the United States should apologize for its sin of purchasing the territory from Denmark without giving Virgin Islanders input in determining their destiny, a wrongdoing he said Denmark is guilty of as well.

It’s a stance that became more mature on Thursday, but Mr. Nelson has harbored that idea for sometime.

“I feel there’s been no transfer of power,” Mr. Nelson said earlier in April during a debate on the issuance of Centennial license plates. “There was a transfer of ownership; and until Virgin Islanders rise up and empower themselves into what really should have happened in 1917 when a free people were sold without any input, that’s the discussion we really need to be having if we’re really serious and conscious about what happened.”

On Thursday, Mr. Nelson revealed that he’s sponsoring legislation that would call on Governor Kenneth Mapp to require an apology from the U.S. and Denmark during 2017 Centennial events.

“The real discussion that we should be having is should we require the governor to request an apology from Denmark and the U.S. at the Centennial. That would be appropriate. That would show that we understand that we were wronged at least. And even if they never give it, just asking for it on a public stage says a lot about where we ought to be consciously. We can’t lead our people with the same level of misguided antics of the past,” Mr. Nelson said.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .

Former Curacao Minister - U.S. Report reveals coup strategy in Venezuela

Opinion: U.S. Confirms In A Document That Curaçao Will Be Used In A Possible Military Intervention Against Venezuela

Carlos Monk

Former Curacao Minister of Government Services

U.S. Southern Command, confirms that what is happening in Venezuela is directed and coordinated from Washington. In a document called Venezuela Freedom – 2 Operation –Phase preceding – South Command reveals its strategy and its connection with the Venezuelan extreme right the “MUD”.

In this document the Southern Command makes a series of 12 recommendations and it exposes a mechanism to use parliament as a weapon to boycott Maduro’s government; continue to create food shortages and basic products (economic pressure); use psychological pressure, financially and legally; use international support and execute violence in a selective way. Southern Command indicate that in July or August 2016 they can stage a coup against Maduro.

What is more worrying is the fact that in there recommendation number 12 they mention the possible use of military intervention and they military bases in Aruba and Curaçao will be used for any possible attacks.

This document is the imperial script to oust a legitimate government; it’s a plan to stage a coup; it’s a war plan and it connects us as a possible accomplice in an attack against the Bolivarian nation and Hugo Chavez.

It’s almost comical to think that the Dutch government does not know about these plans. This means that our people will be involved in a bloody war with Holland as accomplice. Our people will be used against it’s Latin American brothers.

Our people need to protest and demand from the government Whitemann to stop this madness. We have to get up and demand not to be involved in a possible war against Venezuela. They can’t use our territory that belongs to our people to start a war against our neighbor. The damage to our people is irreparable.

This is not possible!

By Carlos Monk

Former Minister of Government Services

New Caledonia pro-independence says indigenous Kanaks omitted from voting roll

New Caledonian party to contact Valls about roll

NEW ZEALAND

New Caledonia's pro-independence Caledonian Union says it will write to the French prime minister to express its surprise that thousands of indigenous Kanak people are missing from the roll of those elIgible to vote in the independence referendum.

The prime minister, Manuel Valls, is due in New Caledonia this week amid political tension and economic uncertainty.

The electoral rolls are highly contentious on a political level while the fall in the price of nickel has shaken the entire sector.

The Caledonian Union's president, Daniel Goa, has told Noumea's daily newspaper that the party doesn't find it normal that 21,000 people have not automatically been put on the list.

A vote is due by 2018 as the conclusion of the 1998 Noumea Accord, which is the territory's decolonisation roadmap.

The roll for the vote is being finalised based on terms which restrict voting rights to long-term residents.

Mr Goa sais a big challenge for his camp would be to mobilise those who habitually abstained from voting, suggesting they number about 46,000 people.

Bonaire Foundation calls on Netherlands to fulfill international decolonisation obligations

Correspondence from James Finies, Foundation Nos Ke Boneiru Bek to the Delegation of the Senate of the Netherlands

Subject: Visit of delegation First Chamber to Caribbean part Kingdom, 16-23 April 2016

Dear Sirs,

In connection with your official travel-work visit to the BES islands on 19, 20 and April 21, 2016, we bring the following to your attention:

Your visit intention is for supplementing and preparation of the parliamentary handling and debate on June 21 a.s. of the evaluations of the new political structure in the Kingdom by October 10, 2010 where you will take your impartial position.

Your task as co-legislator and approval of bills from the Second Chamber is based primarily on the technical aspects, the reliability and consistency with other laws. You have taken your responsibility already earlier on March 21, 2014 to stop, further anchoring, the bill of October 23, 2012 of Constitutional change, until after the evaluation of the constitutional reform.

In addition to administrative and political responses you are particularly interested in the experience of the general population. The fact that political-constitutional structure resorts under higher law of self-determination, and self-determination is a human right which is exclusive of the peoples and not to administrators and politicians should give you enough reason and strength to respect these higher laws, to guarantee, not to violate them but to repair or correction. So your assessment is in this case exclusively on the rights of the people of Bonaire, which has inherited and acquired these rights because of our shared colonial past and your own agreements of the decolonization treaties in the United Nations.

Your Minister of the Interior and Kingdom Relations has also re-confirmed this officially to us: letter dated January 8, 2014, reg.nr # 2014-0000012853: "That the people of Bonaire has the right to let its voice be heard and the right to self-determination, is an hereditary that is not under discussion and is fully endorsed by the Cabinet. "

On December 18, 2015, the legitimate democratic representation of the people of Bonaire, the Island Council, consulted the people of this Bonaire through a referendum. The Bonaire nation could make its voice heard on the "constitutional position of Bonaire" and whether they "agree or are against the implementation of the direct link with the Netherlands as of 10-10-10." The outcome or result leaves no room for mis-interpretations and doubt, having rejected the interpretation of the state structure by 10/10/10, the annexation of the BES islands, Bonaire, as a public council body, "special municipality" in Dutch Constitution under Article 134.

For clarity and correct comparison ,5040 Bonerian vote No, with turnout of 61% voters, and more than 65% No-votes is the same as 6.75 million Dutch in the Netherlands voted against (and that would have caused a revolution in the Netherlands).

It is now very clear that there is no legal basis and reasonable grounds exist to further force the state structure, enforce and impose this against the rights and wishes and voice of the Bonerians people, whom you have made miserable since 10- 10-10 (the same happened to St Eustatius, who also has its voice heard on 17 December 2014). So your current political position goes frontally against international law, against the fundamental principles of our customary international and human rights.

Also, it is now easier for you to take the appropriate lawful decision because it was more difficult before the referendum of December 2015,because although you came to recognize and had agreed that it was illegal, but you kept marching in, because "Bonaire themselves have chosen this." Now it is clear that since 18 December 2015, the population of Bonaire clearly showed: "not to have chosen this themselves."

Briefly, the people of Bonaire, in accordance with international law is the only one with the right to speak out for the determination of their political structure, their future, and because this structure 10-10-10 was temporary for the period of 5 years, and the people of Bonaire made their voice heard on 18 December 2015 and rejected this Illegal state structure and this decision and wishes must be respected by all administrators and politicians of Bonaire and the Netherlands.

Too many to mention, but in addition to all other previous negative studies, demonstrations, protest letters etc, yet an example that you do not like as administrators , government, to have on your conscience and c.v. would like to have. The research of your own Royal Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies (KITLV), the question about your Dutch representation and presence in Bonaire, 73% of the Bonerian population are negative about this and that this is primarily by the current constitutional state link and structure.

Finally, we ask you politely but yet urgently your help, to do everything in your ability as soon as possible to begin the dismantling and transfer and repatriation process of your administration because the situation is restrictive among the population.

We would like to continue forward with you in the Kingdom, but under the conditions of the New Kingdom after the 2nd World War, which the Netherlands has agreed with at the United Nations, and you to fulfill your decolonization obligations and guarantees, guarantees and promotes the political freedom and equality of all peoples of the Kingdom, so that we the people of Bonaire, with mutual respect, equal and free, together with you to build a prosperous Kingdom.

Hoping of having informed you sufficiently, we remain awaiting your positive response.

With kind regards
James Finies, 

 Foundation Nos Ke Boneiru Bek

cc/ Bestuur van Openbaar Lichaam Bonaire Eilandsraad van het Openbaar Lichaam Bonaire Leden van de vaste commissie van de 1ste en 2de Kamer. 

Anti-Colonialism Day marked on April 24 across the globe

TeleSur

April 24 mark(ed) World Anti-Colonialism Day and teleSUR English takes a look at the current and former anti-colonial struggles in Latin America and the Caribbean.

On April 24, 1955, 29 “non-aligned” nations from Africa, the Middle East and Asia concluded the historically significant Afro-Asia Conference, or what was more popularly known as the “Bandung Conference,” a landmark event on anti-imperialism, anti-racism, anti-colonialism and anti-militarization in the midst of an escalating Cold War.

Held in Bandung, Indonesia the meeting brought together revolutionaries from around the world, who condemned Western imperialism and colonialism.

April 24 also marks the Easter Rebellion by the Irish people against British rule. The uprising represents a refusal of British imperial rule by Irish revolutionaries who denounced the empire's unfair and oppressive occupation.

READ THE FULL REPORT HERE .

Pro-Puerto Rico Independence group support Bernie Sanders

Independentistas por Bernie Sanders

CLARIDAD

Puerto Rico

Bernie Saunders

Visita la foto galería (1)

    Nos convocamos un grupo de independentistas que hemos decidido participar en las primarias demócratas en Puerto Rico para apoyar la candidatura de Bernie Sanders.  Lo hacemos, aun reconociendo que la celebración de primarias presidenciales en Puerto Rico han sido parte de una estrategia de los partidos coloniales para acercar más a Puerto Rico a la nación norteamericana.  Hacemos una excepción en este momento porque consideramos que vivimos tiempos excepcionales.  

Nunca antes se había  celebrado un proceso eleccionario en Estados Unidos que fuera tan definitorio para la ruta que habrá de tomar ese país en el futuro.  Se enfrentan tres visiones de futuro en esa nación, que es la que controla nuestro destino.  En el lado Republicano se aglutinan las fuerzas más retrógradas, racistas y fascistas de ese país. Por el lado Demócrata se enfrentan dos visiones. Por un lado, el continuismo de las políticas imperiales neoliberales promotoras de la guerra, las intervenciones directas e indirectas en otros países con el fin de apoderarse de sus recursos naturales y controlar sus mercados y el control de los procesos políticos internos por parte de un puñado de millonarios y billonarios; la consolidación de una oligarquía totalitaria. Hillary Clinton representa esos intereses.

Hillary Clinton es la aliada y portavoz de las corporaciones multinacionales, los buitres financieros que ahora exprimen a nuestro pueblo, y el complejo militar-industrial que promueve la guerra en el mundo. Contrario a lo que muchos creen, Hillary Clinton no es amiga de Puerto Rico.  Es la amiga del capital que nos explota.  Es también, la mayor amenaza para la paz del mundo.

Por otro lado está Bernie Sanders quien lleva toda su vida luchando por los derechos humanos, la igualdad racial y de género, defendiendo los derechos de los trabajadores y las minorías, combatiendo la guerra y el intervencionismo, abogando por el fin del bloqueo a Cuba y denunciando el capitalismo salvaje. Además promueve un sistema de salud universal y la educación universitaria gratuita en los colegios y universidades públicas, entre otras cosas.  Se define como socialista democrático y ha aglutinado un amplio movimiento de las fuerzas más progresistas de EEUU. para la acción política concertada que le ayude a implantar su programa desde la Presidencia. 

Con Bernie Sanders en la presidencia de EEUU. nuestro país tendría un interlocutor en la Casa Blanca en disposición de colaborar con P.R. para superar nuestro estancamiento económico y político. 

No participar en estas primarias demócratas, que aunque fueron creadas con otros propósitos, sería desperdiciar una oportunidad única en la historia para contribuir a provocar un cambio positivo en la nación más poderosa del mundo,  un cambio que repercutirá positivamente en nuestro país.

Creemos que el acercamiento del pueblo puertorriqueño con el pueblo trabajador y las capas medias norteamericanas es de naturaleza estratégica para la lucha por la autodeterminación de nuestro país. Este apoyo a la candidatura de Bernie Sanders y al movimiento de masas que aglutina las fuerzas más progresistas de Estados Unidos  a su alrededor, sirve para ampliar nuestras bases de comunicación y coordinación con esos sectores del pueblo norteamericano.

Nosotros exhortamos a los independentistas y a los puertorriqueños de todas las ideologías que residen en Puerto Rico y fuera de nuestro país a que se inscriban, si no están inscritos, para votar en las primarias demócratas por Bernie Sanders. Los instamos a organizar comités y grupos de apoyo en los municipios, comunidades, centros de estudio y de trabajo, a llamar, escribir y exhortar a nuestros compatriotas de la diáspora para que respalden la candidatura de Bernie Sanders. Igualmente los exhortamos a estar presentes en las mesas electorales para proteger los votos que se emitan por su candidatura.

Haciendo camino al andar……..

Comité Coordinador: José Nicolás Medina, Luis Alonso Vega, Flavia Rivera Montero, José Rafael Coss, Yara Nazario Morales, Arlene Bayó, Mindy Hernández, Rubén Colón Morera, Gretchen Feshold, Abel Muñiz, Luis Rodríguez, Nitza Hernández, Roberto Delgado, José Martin Ramos, Nilsa Medina, Santos Rivera Montero, Evelyn Moreno, Rita Molinelli, Celestino Rivera, Norman Pietri, Gabriel Coss.

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How Europe underdeveloped this part of the Caribbean

"Decolonization" is theme of University of Guam Academic Journal

A Journal of Research & Practice on Education 

in Guam and Micronesia

Current Volume

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Volume 22, Fall 2015

Purchase this volume

Articles

Comparative Political Development in the United States-administered Pacific Dependencies

Carlyle G. Corbin

Chamoru Self-Determination and the Rhetoric of Both/Neither in United Nations Testimonies

Tiara R. Na'puti

An Appraisal of Self-determination Under International Law

Julian Aguon

Trongkon Niyok - A Symbol of Settlement, Survival, Sustainability and Self-Determination for the People of Guahan

Moñeka De Oro

Identity and Self-determination in Guam: A Chamorro Homeland - An American Colony

Mary Therese F. Cruz

Dies Mit: The Origin and End of Chamorro Self-Determination

Robert A. Underwood

Poetry

ginen fatal impact statements

Craig Santos Perez

Commentary

Estague i Kinahulo' i Manhoben

Kenneth Gofigan Kuper

Testimonies

Statement of the Non-self-governing Territory of Guam to the Pacific Regional Seminar on the Implementation of the Third Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism in Nadi, Fiji, from 21 May to 23 May 2014

Edward A. Alvarez

Presentations

Presentation to the 4th Annual Micronesia Non-Profit Congress on Self-determination, Migration

Felicidad T. Ogumoro

Book Review

Sinångan ginen i Pachot: Estorian Pasifiku ginen Guåhan (Word of Mouth: Pacific Stories from Guam)

Kelley Bowman

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Launch of Micronesian Educator and Discussion on Self-Determination on Guam - New Perspectives

University of Guam President Robert Underwood, a contributor to the volume,
opens the discussion.

Special Edition Editors Michael Lujan Bevacqua (l) and Victoria Lola Leon Guerrero (c) join Editor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba (r) at the unveiling of the latest edition of Micronesian Educator.

Nabobo-Baba (l) and contributor to the volume Carlyle G. Corbin at the discussions on decolonization issues. 

Moneka De Oro introduces chapter on "Trongkon Niyok - A Symbol of Settlement, Survival, Sustainability and Self-Determination for the People of Guahan."

Corbin presents chapter on "Comparative Political Development
 in the United States-administered Pacific Dependencies."