The Catholic Bishops Conference (CBC) has described the actions of those responsible for the attack and rape of tourists along the Kokoda Track this week as barbaric.
To add to that, the Conference is calling on the whole clan of those criminals to take responsibility, and pay a fine of K100,000 to the two tourists and the tourism industry.
On the attack and rape of the tourists, the General Secretary of the Confernce, Fr. Victor Roche, said this went against the PNG way of welcoming and looking after guests in our country.
“These innocent tourists were tortured and the helpless woman was raped.
“The effect of this crime is enormous: loss of tourists to Kokoda and loss of income to the people of the area.
“It brings bad publicity about PNG in America and England where they come from. There is more harm done to the tourism industry,” said Roche.
He added that the CBC supported the call from the Minister for Tourism for the criminals to be brought to justice.
“The family and the whole clan of those criminals should take responsibility. They should pay a fine of K 100,000 to those two tourists and the tourism industry,” said Roche.