Editing History of Tonga (section)

==21st century==
[[File:Akilisi Pohiva ITU 2016.jpg|thumb|[[ʻAkilisi Pōhiva]], leader of the democratic movement and Prime Minister from 2014 to 2019]]
{{Update|date=March 2016}}

=== 2002 election===
In the [[2002 Tongan general election|March 2002 election]], supporters of the [[Human Rights and Democracy Movement]] (HRDM) won seven of the nine popularly-elected seats for people's representatives, with the remaining two representing "traditionalist" values.  Voter turnout was 48.9%.<ref>James, p. 314.</ref> The nine nobles and all the cabinet ministers that sit in the Legislative Assembly generally support the government. 
Following the election, HRDM leader [[Samuela 'Akilisi Pohiva|'Akilisi Pohiva]] was arrested and charged with [[sedition]]  over an article published in his newspaper ''Kele’a'' alleging the king had a secret fortune,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.michaelfield.org/tonga8.htm |title=Tonga's king centre piece in sedition court case against politicians and journalists |author=Michael Field |date=2002-05-13 |access-date=2010-01-10 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014092317/http://michaelfield.org/tonga8.htm |archive-date=October 14, 2008 }}</ref> but was later acquitted by a jury.<ref>{{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 |access-date=2008-07-15 |archive-date=March 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314091146/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/05/19/1053196529908.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2003, the ''Taimi <nowiki>'</nowiki>o Tonga'' ([[Tongan Times]]), a newspaper published in [[New Zealand]] in the [[Tongan language]] that had been critical of the government was prohibited from distribution in Tonga due to government objections to its political content. After the newspaper obtained two court orders, it was again distributed freely. A Media Operators Bill and constitutional amendment, intended to restrict media freedom in Tonga, was hotly debated in 2003. The legislation  allowed the government to exert control over coverage of "cultural" and "moral" issues, ban publications it deemed offensive, and ban foreign ownership of the media. In October 2003, thousands of Tongans marched peacefully through the streets of the capital city [[Nukuʻalofa|Nuku{{Okina}}alofa]] in an unprecedented demonstration against the government's plans to limit media freedom. Despite the protests, the Media Operators Bill and constitutional amendment passed the Legislature and as of December 2003 needed only the King's signature to become law.

By February 2004, the amendment was passed and licensure of news media was required. Those papers denied licenses under the new act included the Taimi 'o Tonga (Tongan Times), the Kele'a and the Matangi Tonga, while those permitted licenses were uniformly church based or pro-government. Further opposition to government action included calls by  the Tu'i Pelehake (a prince, nephew of the King and elected member of parliament) for Australia and other nations to pressure the Tongan government to democratize the electoral system, and a legal writ calling for a judicial investigation of the bill. The latter was supported by some 160 people, including 7 of the 9 elected "People's Representatives".

=== 2005 election ===
[[File:Feleti.jpg|thumb|[[Feleti Sevele]], first commoner to serve as Prime Minister of Tonga since the 19th century]]

At the [[2005 Tongan general election]], the [[Human Rights and Democracy Movement]] won seven of the nine popularly-elected seats (the rest of the 30 MPs are appointed by the [[List of monarchs of Tonga|King]] or are members of the Tongan aristocracy). [['Aho'eitu 'Unuaki'otonga Tuku'aho]], son of the King, initially retained his position as [[Prime Minister of Tonga|Prime Minister]], but he resigned in 2006, after the Tongan Speaker of the House was found guilty of bribery.<ref>[http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/courts/veikune250106.shtml "Jury finds Tongan Speaker guilty of bribery"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060302115606/http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/courts/veikune250106.shtml |date=2006-03-02 }} ''Matangi Tonga'', 26 January 2006</ref> The position passed to [[Feleti Sevele]], Minister of Labour and one of the two independent candidates elected, as well as the first non-noble Prime Minister of the country.

In 2005 the government spent several weeks negotiating with striking civil service workers before reaching a settlement. A constitutional commission met in 2005–2006 to study proposals to update the constitution.  A copy of the commission's report was presented to King [[Taufa'ahau Tupou IV]], shortly before his death in September 2006.

=== 2006 riots===
[[File:Startfires.jpg|thumb|The start of the major fires due to the [[2006 Tonga riots]] in [[Nukuʻalofa]] ]]
[[File:Tonga princes.jpg|thumb|Tupoutoʻa-Lavaka [[Tupou VI]] (centre) in a mourning dress for his recently deceased father, king Tāufaʻāhau [[Tupou IV]] in 2006. He is flanked by his two sons, the new chiefs ʻUlukālala (left) and Ata (right)]]

{{main|2006 Tonga riots}}
Tonga did not rate as an "electoral democracy" under the criteria of [[Freedom House]]'s [[Freedom in the World 2006]] report. This is likely because while elections exist, they could only elect nine of 30 Legislative Assembly seats, the remainder being selected either by the nobility or the government; as such the people have a voice in but no control over the government.

The public expected democratic changes from the new monarch. On November 16, 2006, [[2006 Tonga riots|rioting broke out]] in the capital city of [[Nukuʻalofa|Nuku{{Okina}}alofa]] when it seemed that the parliament would adjourn for the year without having made any advances in increasing democracy in government. Government buildings, offices, and shops were looted and burned<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/crime/riot161106.shtml |title=Rioting crowd leaves leaves trail of wreckage in Nuku'alofa |date=16 November 2006 |publisher=Matangi Tonga |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070204104314/http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/crime/riot161106.shtml |archive-date=4 February 2007}}</ref> Eight people died in the riots.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/166190/riot-death-toll-in-tonga-reaches-eight |title=Riot death toll in Tonga reaches eight |publisher=[[RNZ]] |date=17 November 2006 |access-date=28 December 2021}}</ref> The government agreed that elections would be held in 2008 in which a majority of the parliament would be elected by popular vote.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/six-died-in-tonga-rioting-report/W5QQYFI6H6SXUJF5ZI352KTHCE/ |title=Six died in Tonga rioting –report |publisher=[[New Zealand Herald]] |date=17 November 2006 |access-date=28 December 2021}}</ref> A state of emergency was declared on November 17, with emergency laws giving security forces the right to stop and search people without a warrant.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200611/s1791450.htm |title=Tonga declares state of emergency |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001020050/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200611/s1791450.htm |archive-date=1 October 2008   |publisher=ABC |date=17 November 2006}}</ref>

On 18 January 2007 Pōhiva was arrested<ref name="pmw.c2o.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.pmw.c2o.org/2007/tonga5095.html  |title=Pro-democracy MP ʻAkilisi Pōhiva arrested |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208160025/http://www.pmw.c2o.org/2007/tonga5095.html |archive-date=8 February 2012 |publisher=Pacific Media Watch |date=18 January 2007}}</ref> and charged with sedition<ref name="RNZI_29577">{{cite web |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/167319/tongan-pro-democracy-leader-released-on-bail,-facing-charges-of-sedition |title=Tongan pro-democracy leader released on bail, facing charges of sedition |date=19 January 2007 |work=[[RNZ]] |access-date=28 December 2021 |archive-date=23 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223170433/http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=29577 |url-status=live }}</ref> over his role in the [[2006 Nuku'alofa riots]].

=== 2008 election ===
[[2008 Tongan general election|The April 2008 elections]] saw a 48% turnout to elect the nobles' representatives and the 9 people's representatives.  Most of the pro-democracy MPs were reconfirmed, despite several facing charges of [[sedition]] over the [[2006 Nuku'alofa riots]]<ref>[http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200804251018/38bc94e1 Pro-democracy MPs mostly returned in Tonga – Radio New Zealand] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207170621/http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/latest/200804251018/38bc94e1 |date=February 7, 2012 }}, 25 April 2008</ref> All nine elected MPs were pro-democracy activists.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7366873.stm | work=[[BBC News]] | title=Tongans elect pro-democracy MPs | date=25 April 2008 | access-date=December 12, 2017 | archive-date=June 28, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628023744/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7366873.stm | url-status=live }}</ref>
About two weeks before the election, it was announced that the [[Tonga Broadcasting Commission]] would henceforth censor candidates' political broadcasts,<ref>[http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/newsmedia/tbc_censorship_110408.shtml "TBC's censorship committee makes its mark on coming election"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411232220/http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/newsmedia/tbc_censorship_110408.shtml |date=April 11, 2008 }}, [[Matangi Tonga]], 11 April 2008</ref> and that TBC reporters would be banned from reporting on political matters.<ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/ra/programguide/stories/200804/s2213489.htm "Reporting restrictions in Tonga criticised by region"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415132610/http://www.abc.net.au/ra/programguide/stories/200804/s2213489.htm |date=April 15, 2008 }}, ABC Radio Australia, 10 April 2008</ref> 
[[Tonga Review]] criticised the decision as an undue restriction on [[freedom of speech]].<ref>[http://www.tongareview.com/Article.aspx?Mode=1&ID=5498 "Tonga and Zimbabwe have something in common - restriction on free speech"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412131127/http://www.tongareview.com/Article.aspx?id=5498&Mode=1 |date=April 12, 2008 }}, Tonga Review, 7 April 2008</ref> 
On 29 May 2008, in the speech from the throne at the opening of Parliament, Princess Regent, [[Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu Tuita]] announced that the government would introduce a political reform bill by June 2008, and that the current term of Parliament would be the last one under the current constitution<ref>[http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/index_dynamic/containerNameToReplace=MiddleMiddle/focusModuleID=130/focusContentID=12378/tableName=mediaRelease/overideSkinName=newsArticle-full.tpl "Tonga political reform to begin next month"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016225650/http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/index_dynamic/containerNameToReplace=MiddleMiddle/focusModuleID=130/focusContentID=12378/tableName=mediaRelease/overideSkinName=newsArticle-full.tpl |date=October 16, 2011 }}, ''Islands Business'', 29 May 2008.</ref>

In July 2008, three days before his coronation, King [[George Tupou V]] announced that he would relinquish most of his power and be guided by his [[Prime Minister of Tonga|Prime Minister]]'s recommendations on most matters, following upcoming elections.<ref name="Tonga's king to cede key powers"/>

In November 2009, a constitutional review panel recommended a ceremonial monarchy stripped of real political power and to invest political power in a completely elected [[Legislative Assembly of Tonga]] (the ''Fale Alea'') which, up to this point was largely hereditary due to the fact that most of the seats where designated for the nobles.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7530209.stm |title=Tonga's king to cede key powers |publisher=BBC |date=2008-07-29 |access-date=2010-04-22 |archive-date=February 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208145840/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7530209.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://fijidailypost.com/feature.php?date=20080728&index=575 |title=His Majesty King George Tupou V – A Monarch for a time of change |publisher=Fiji Daily Post |date=2008-07-28 |access-date=2010-04-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213083633/http://fijidailypost.com/feature.php?date=20080728&index=575 |archive-date=December 13, 2017 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> and were preceded by a programme of constitutional reform.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/politics/20091112_tonga_cec_final_report_released.shtml |title=Commission pessimistic over ability of Assembly to meet 2010 election deadline |publisher=Matangi Tonga |date=2009-11-12 |access-date=2010-04-22 |archive-date=May 5, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100505072522/http://www.matangitonga.to/article/tonganews/politics/20091112_tonga_cec_final_report_released.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Democratisation and 2010 elections ===

In April 2010 the Legislative Assembly enacted a package of political reforms towards a fully [[representative democracy]], increasing the number of directly elected people's representatives from 9 to 17,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=53031 |title=Tonga Parliament enacts political reforms |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2010-04-15 |access-date=2010-04-21 |archive-date=December 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111210030212/http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=53031 |url-status=live }}</ref> with ten seats for [[Tongatapu]], three for [[Vavaʻu]], two for [[Haʻapai]] and one each for [[Niuas]] and [[ʻEua]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=53112 |title=Tonga parliament votes on amended boundaries |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2010-04-20 |access-date=2010-04-21 |archive-date=June 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612084157/http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=53112 |url-status=live }}</ref> All of the seats are single-seat constituencies, as opposed to the multi-member constituencies used before. These changes mean that 17 out of 26 representatives (65.4%) would be directly elected, up from 9 out of 30 (30.0%).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=53125 |title=Tonga's pro-democracy movement hails assembly reform |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2010-04-21 |access-date=2010-04-22 |archive-date=September 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100924081452/http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ann">{{Cite news|author=Dorney, Sean|title=Tonga prepares for historic poll|url=http://australianetworknews.com/stories/201011/3075671.htm?desktop|newspaper=Australia Network News|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=2010-11-24|access-date=2010-11-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314103838/http://australianetworknews.com/stories/201011/3075671.htm?desktop|archive-date=March 14, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The aristocracy would still select its nine representatives, while all remaining seats, which were previously appointed by the monarch, would be abolished.<ref name="ann"/>

[[Tongan general election, 2010|Early general elections]] under the new electoral law were held  on 25 November 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=53131 |title=Civics education vital ahead of Tonga election, says advocate |publisher=Radio New Zealand International |date=2010-04-21 |access-date=2010-04-22 |archive-date=June 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612084258/http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=53131 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The [[Times of Tonga|Taimi Media Network]] described the [[2010 Tongan Legislative Assembly]] as "Tonga’s first democratically elected Parliament".<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120316143322/http://www.taimionline.com/articles/4154 "Absence of PM from opening of Parliament questioned"]}}, Taimi Media Network, June 9, 2011</ref>
The [[Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands]] (DPFI), founded in September 2010 specifically to fight the election and led by veteran pro-democracy campaigner [['Akilisi Pohiva]], secured the largest number of seats, with 12 out of the seventeen "people's representative" seats.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/king-prepares-to-hand-over-powers-after-election-in-tonga-20101126-18alc.html|title=King prepares to hand over powers after election in Tonga|last=Malkin|first=Bonnie|date=27 November 2010|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|publisher=[[Fairfax Media]]|access-date=26 November 2010|archive-date=August 1, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801235049/https://www.smh.com.au/world/king-prepares-to-hand-over-powers-after-election-in-tonga-20101126-18alc.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[ʻAkilisi Pohiva]], the MP for [[Tongatapu 1]], had sought to become Prime Minister, but the nobles and independent MP entrusted [[Sialeʻataongo Tuʻivakanō|Lord Tuʻivakanō]] with the task of forming a government, relegating the DPFI to the status of a ''de facto'' [[parliamentary opposition]].<ref name="IP overview">[http://www.ipu.org/parline/reports/2317.htm "Tonga: Fale Alea (Legislative Assembly)"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924051459/http://www.ipu.org/parline/reports/2317.htm |date=September 24, 2015 }}, [[Interparliamentary Union]]</ref> 
The DPFI put forward bills for further democratisation, including the proposal of direct election of the Prime Minister from among the 26 elected MPs, as well as of universal suffrage for all 26 MPs. These proposals were not taken forward by the conservative majority.<ref>[http://matangitonga.to/2013/10/24/parliament-rejects-bill-change-tongas-electoral-system "Parliament rejects a Bill to change Tonga's electoral system"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701064624/https://matangitonga.to/2013/10/24/parliament-rejects-bill-change-tongas-electoral-system |date=July 1, 2019 }}, Matangi Tonga, 24 October 2013</ref><ref>[http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/226216/tonga-democrats-to-table-more-reform-plans "Tonga Democrats to table more reform plans"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213085516/http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/226216/tonga-democrats-to-table-more-reform-plans |date=December 13, 2017 }}, Radio New Zealand International, 30 October 2013</ref>

At the death of King  [[George Tupou V]] on 18 March 2012, his brother ʻAhoʻeitu ʻUnuakiʻotonga Tukuʻaho became King of Tonga, with the regnal name ʻAhoʻeitu [[Tupou VI]].

[[2014 Tongan general election|New elections in 2014]] saw the DPFI lose three seats to independent candidates. Its leader Pohiva was nevertheless appointed as new Prime Minister of Tonga.
On August 25, 2017 Pohiva was dismissed by the King along with the rest of parliament with fresh elections to be held on [[2017 Tongan general election|November 16]]. The Elections resulted in the DPFI winning 14 seats - enough for Pohivia to form government without relying on nobles' or independent MPs.<ref name=tdnews>{{cite news |first=Iliesa |last=Tora |title=Dawn of a New Era: Pohiva is the first elected commoner to be PM |url=http://www.tongadailynews.to/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/TDN92-PG1-eng.pdf |work=[[Tonga Daily News]] |date=2014-12-31 |access-date=2015-02-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210045203/http://www.tongadailynews.to/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/TDN92-PG1-eng.pdf |archive-date=February 10, 2015 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name=abcnews>{{cite news |title=Tongan democracy activist becomes first commoner elected as PM |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-29/tongan-democracy-activist-becomes-first-commoner-elected-pm/5991824 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)]] |date=2014-12-29 |access-date=2015-02-09 |archive-date=January 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128034117/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-29/tongan-democracy-activist-becomes-first-commoner-elected-pm/5991824 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== 2022 tsunami ===
On 15 January 2022 a [[2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai eruption and tsunami|tsunami caused by an eruption]] of the [[Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai]] volcano swept through many parts of Tonga. It killed four people in Tonga and two others in Peru.<ref name="LatuKaniva">{{cite news |last1=Latu |first1=Kalino |date=30 January 2022 |title=Prime Minister defends Deputy's 'no sirens' reply as tsunami death toll rises to four |url=https://www.kanivatonga.nz/2022/01/prime-minister-defends-deputys-no-sirens-reply-as-tsunami-death-toll-rises-to-four/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130100337/https://www.kanivatonga.nz/2022/01/prime-minister-defends-deputys-no-sirens-reply-as-tsunami-death-toll-rises-to-four/ |archive-date=30 January 2022 |access-date=7 April 2022 |work=Kaniva Tonga}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2022-01-17 |title=Tonga remains cut off after a massive eruption and tsunami. Here's what we know |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/17/asia/tonga-volcanic-eruption-tsunami-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522003706/https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/17/asia/tonga-volcanic-eruption-tsunami-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html |archive-date=2023-05-22 |website=[[CNN]]}}</ref> Many places in Australia and other countries were also put on high alert.<ref name="7news-tsunami-15jan'22">{{cite news |last1=Hussey |first1=Sam |last2=Bruno |first2=Gus |title=Beaches evacuated and closed as BOM updates tsunami warning for Australia's east coast |url=https://7news.com.au/weather/tsunami/tonga-tsunami-triggers-marine-warnings-c-5324422 |access-date=18 January 2022 |work=7NEWS |date=15 January 2022 |language=en}}</ref>