Date: Mon, 19 May 1997 05:28:53 -0400
From: malecki-AT-algonet.se (Robert Malecki)
Subject: M-G: (Fwd) 646 POLITICS: Police raids on NGOs target email links, f



>
>------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
>MORE NEWS FROM PAPUA NEW GUINEA.
>Subject:       646 POLITICS: Police raids on NGOs target email links, files
>To:            nius-AT-pactok.net.au
>
>Title -- 646 POLITICS: Police raids on NGOs target email links, files
>Date -- 16 May 1997
>Byline -- Theresa Kanari
>Origin -- Niuswire
>Source -- Uni Tavur (PNG), 16/5/97
>Copyright -- Uni Tavur
>Status -- Unabridged
>-------------------
>
>By THERESA KANARI
>Police raiding non-governmental organisations last week targeted a Pacific-wide
>communications network and sensitive electronic mail files, say activists.
>
>The file dealt with issues such as the West Papuan refugees and current PNG and
>Pacific campaigns. 
>
>All three NGOs raided + ICRAF, PNG Trust and Melsol + are linked to the Pactok
>electronic communications network that has 11 NGOs and educational members in
>PNG.
>
>Many regional organisations such as the South Pacific Commission and South
>Pacific Regional Environment Program are also linked.
>
>PNG Trust+s advocacy officer Richard Brunton said police had attempted to gain
>+illegal access+ to two of the seized computers which were handed back by a
>court order last week.
>
>+They tried to get access to electronic mail files but didn+t have the
>passwords to get in because the files are encrypted,+ said Mr Brunton, who is
>also a spokesman for Pactok PNG.
>
>He said PNG Trust had nothing to do with the unrest over the Sandline mercenary
>affair and the raids and arrests were an +act of provocation+.
>
>Meanwhile, the Solomon Islands Indigenous Movement has joined groups condemning
>the NGO raids.
>Director Lawrence Makili told Uni Tavur by facsimile that SIISM  was +shocked
>and petrified+ by the police action.
>
>The action was a +clear violation+ of the United Nations Charter for Human
>Rights.
>+NGOs in Papua New Guinea should not be be treated as criminals,+ said Mr
>Makili.
>
>+They have been well known in the region for the good work that they have done
>in past years. The PNG government must stop the violent attitude,+ he said.
>
>PNG Trust+s major concern now is that this was +only the beginning of the
>police and state intimidation of non-government organisations and anyone else
>who could ruin the return of the Government to power.
>
>All three NGO offices have launched separate applications with  authorities
>over: 
>
>o Alleged human rights abuses.
> 
>o The right to be free from illegal searches.
>
>o The right to reasonable privacy  under the constitution.
>+++niuswire
>
>This document is for educational and personal use only.  
>Recipients should seek permission from the copyright source for reprinting. 
>This service is provided by Journalism Studies, University of Papua New Guinea.
> Please acknowledge NIUSWIRE. Queries: niusedita-AT-pactok.net.au
>http://www.pactok.net.au/docs/nius/
> 
>
>



     --- from list marxism-general-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---