Vol. 71/No. 44      November 26, 2007

Antimonarchy protesters’ banner in Tonga during October 16–17 Pacific Islands Forum

The forum is made up of government representatives from New Zealand and Australia, both imperialist powers, and the 14 Pacific Island nations they dominate. Activists used the event to publicize their long-standing fight against Tonga’s monarchy.

Banned from rallying in Nuku’alofa, the capital, about 100 protesters gathered on the town’s outskirts for four days, hanging banners along the road to the forum site. Finau Tutone, the president of the Friendly Islands Teachers Association and a leader of the protest, told reporters, “All the problems here are because of the system. There is no accountability to the people.”

Tonga’s monarchy dominates political and economic life in the nation of 117,000 people. Only 9 of the 33 members of parliament are elected by popular vote—15 are appointed by King Siaosi Tupou V and 9 are selected by representatives of the country’s 33 noble families.

In the face of a deep-going popular movement in recent years—including strikes, demonstrations, and a street rebellion in Nuku’alofa last year—Prime Minister Feleti Sevele has proposed elections in 2010 for a new parliament with 17 seats elected by popular vote. Four others would be appointed by the king, and nine seats would remain reserved for the nobles, a hereditary layer numbering about 1,500 people.

Akilisi Pohiva, an opponent of the monarchy who serves in the legislative assembly, told the Sydney Morning Herald, “We are moving forward, but there are still issues to be resolved, and that is why we are here.”

Pohiva and four other elected People’s Representatives still face charges of sedition brought by the government following the rebellion last November, in which eight people died and parts of Nuku’alofa were destroyed. Their trial has been set for August of next year.  
 
 
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