Samuela 'Akilisi Pohiva

Samuela 'Akilisi Pohiva is a Tongan politician and a leading member of that country's pro-democracy movement. He is a former teacher, broadcaster, and newspaper publisher, [S 'Akilisi Pohiva, [http://www.asiapac.org.fj/PJR/issues/next/2002tonga.pdf Media, justice in Tonga] , "Pacific Journalism Review", 8 (2002), 96 - 104.] and a founding member of the Human Rights and Democracy Movement.

He is the longest-serving people's representative in the Tongan Parliament, having first been elected in 1987. [According to his [http://parliament.gov.to/people's_reps.htm profile] at the Tongan Parliament he had served 18 consecutive years when re-elected in 2005.] His political career has been marked by constant battles with the Tongan monarchy over democracy, transparency and corruption. In 1996 he was imprisoned for contempt of Parliament on the order of the Legislative Assembly for reporting on Parliament's proceedings. [S 'Akilisi Pohiva, [http://www.asiapac.org.fj/PJR/issues/next/2002tonga.pdf Media, justice in Tonga] , "Pacific Journalism Review", 8 (2002), p100] He was subsequently released after the Supreme Court ruled that the imprisonment was “unlawful and unconstitutional". [ [http://www.pmw.c2o.org/2007/tonga5095.html Pro-democracy MP 'Akilisi Pohiva arrested] , "Pacific Media Watch", 18 January 2007] In 2002 he was charged with sedition over an article published in his newspaper "Kele’a" alleging the king had a secret fortune, [ [http://www.michaelfield.org/tonga8.htm Tonga's king centre piece in sedition court case against politicians and journalists] , Michael Field, 13 May 2002.] but was acquitted by a jury. [cite web |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/05/19/1053196529908.html |title=MPs acquitted on sedition charges |work=The Age |date=2003-05-20 |accessdate=2008-07-15]

On 18 January 2007 Pohiva was arrested over his role in the 2006 Nuku'alofa riots. [ [http://www.pmw.c2o.org/2007/tonga5095.html Pro-democracy MP 'Akilisi Pohiva arrested] , "Pacific Media Watch", 18 January 2007] He was subsequently charged with sedition. [ [http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=29577 Tongan pro-democracy leader released on bail, facing charges of sedition] , "Radio New Zealand International", 19 January 2007] Hearing of the charges has been repeatedly delayed and is now not expected to occur until August 2008. [ [http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=38376 Eight candidates for Tonga’s April General Election have pending court cases] , "Radio New Zealand International", 4 March 2008.]

In the 2008 election he was re-elected for an eighth term as the No 1 Tongatapu People's Representative with 11,290 votes.

References