Human Rights

The Ombudsman Commission has warned government authorities to respect people’s rights and not force them to get vaccination.

Chief Ombudsman, Richard Pagen in a statement said the Ombudsman Commission is fully aware that PNG is a signatory to several core Human Rights Treaties and that its National Constitution is very unique that it almost contains all the rights and freedoms enshrined in the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948. 

Coming Monday May 17^th, is the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, and the UN maintains its commitment to protecting the rights of this group of minorities, against the stigma, discrimination, and social and physical violence.

The UN said sexual and gender minorities face these challenges on a daily basis, and this prevents them from accessing services, and denies them the right to a healthy and fulfilling life.

The training was facilitated by the Bomana Police Training College, with technical support from the UN Human Rights Office.

With over one hundred and twenty years of policing experience amongst them, three regional training officers, Chief Inspector Paul Bai, Senior Inspector Temi Josaiah and Senior Inspector Ed Ona Mesa, all raised that human rights is a great concern for the RPNGC and for the public that they serve.

This was during a Training of Trainers on “Human Rights in a Referendum” conducted in Buka from 13 to 17 May 2019.

The training was conducted by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in collaboration with the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Department of Community Development, Bougainville Referendum Commission and other ABG Institutions.

Royal PNG Constabulary Deputy Commissioner Administrations, Raphael Huafolo, said this during the closing of the human rights & law enforcement training this afternoon.

Huafolo thanked the United Nations Human Rights for the opportunity to train senior officers to improve their conduct whilst enforcing the law.

He also challenged the Provincial Police Commanders, Metropolitan Superintendents and Superintendent Operations to better manage issues in their jurisdiction instead of blaming the hierarchy.

The films shown over the three-day programme, embodied the Festival’s theme, “Stand up today to change tomorrow”.

Audience members were challenged to consider their individual responsibilities to respect human rights and to take action to address human rights issues facing Madang, and PNG.

The festival included films on forced evictions, sorcery accusation related violence, and a film on renowned PNG singer, the late Moses Tau.

This commitment comes following a three-day workshop supported by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

The workshop saw 38 parliamentarians, including the President, Vice President and eight Ministers, in attendance.

Discussions centred on sharing knowledge of the potential role of Parliaments in the promotion and protection of human rights, and provided the opportunity for participants to be updated about best practices of other parliaments throughout the world.

One of the aims of the Pacific Commonwealth Equality Project is to support MPs and community leaders champion human rights in their communities.

The project will receive about $US2 million in funding over two years from the UK government's Commonwealth Fund.

Senior human rights advisor for the Pacific Community Jayshree Mangubhai said she was confident the work would help create meaningful social change.

He was also one of those prisoners who were taken back to Bomana on January 10, on executive orders of the National executive Council, after a probe was announced into leave of absence (LOA) from Bomana jail.

Paul Pisa is serving a prison term of 15 years. He was refused bail by the Supreme Court on 16 March.

He has not received any medical assistance since he was moved back to Bomana from the Pacific International Hospital on January 10.

He appeared before Justice David Cannings this morning, in what seems to be “a serious matter” of his health condition.

This statistics was revealed by Secretary General for Pacific Islands Forum Leaders, Dame Meg Taylor.

“We need to ensure that the foundation for justice remains in society,” she said.

Violence against women is a current issue that is prevalent in the region and a collective effort is needed to address it.

“It’s disturbing that two out of three women experience violence by an intimate partner,” Dame Meg said.

In Papua New Guinea, Gender based violence remains a challenge in achieving gender equality.