Over 70 people gathered outside the PNG Consulate in Sydney yesterday to show their solidarity with students in PNG. The event was held at 12.30pm.
Sydney-based Papua New Guineans were joined by students, academics, unionists and NGOs to call for an immediate stop to the repression and for student demands to be met.
“The recent event in Port Moresby between the University of Papua New Guinea students and the Royal Papua New Guinea constabulary (RPNGC) is uncalled for in any democratic nation,” stated Stanley Kumasimba Wamaware, a PNG student from the University of Sydney.
A five-week widespread peaceful student boycott, calling for PNG Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to face corruption allegations that were brought by a range of official corruption squads, was brutally repressed on the morning of Wednesday, June 8. Unarmed students were shot at by police, resulting in some being hospitalised for severe injuries and many others wounded.
“What the police have done is against the constitutional and basic universal human rights of PNG citizens - that is the free will to express themselves without fear or intimidation. Like other democratic nations, the people have the right to hold their leaders accountable and that’s what the students are doing,” continued Wamaware.
“The high-powered guns and the military style demonstration shown by the police force represents a dictatorial policing.”
Natalie Lowrey, co-organiser of the solidarity action, said: “Further reports coming out from PNG have stated that some students have been forced into hiding in fear of further repression, others who are injured are too scared to go to the hospital for fear of arrest.
“Today we stand in solidarity with the vibrant and peaceful student movement in PNG. We support their demands for the rule of law and their call for Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to stand down.”
Kairuku/Hiri woman, who is now a Sydney resident, Jeanne Haurama, stated: “The world is watching how the institutions of State and government of PNG continues to treat its citizens. We cannot let this situation escalate into civil unrest.
“The students must be supported, they are the future leaders of PNG. If the students intended violence they would have done it five weeks ago but they didn't.
“We demand Peter O’Neill to do the honourable thing, to step down and stop the escalation of violence!”
Other speakers included Mick Doleman, International Executive Officer from the Maritime International Federation; Dylan Griffiths, Education Officer, Students Representative Council, University of Sydney; and Katie Hepworth, Pacific Officer, Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA.