PNG is dangerous & failing to protect women and girls
30 January 2016
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH | Extracts
PAPUA New Guinea is one of the most dangerous places to be a woman or girl, with rates of family and sexual violence among the highest in the world, Human Rights Watch has said in its World Report 2016.
Gender inequality, violence, corruption, and excessive use of force by police, including against children, remain pressing human rights issues.
The 659-page World Report 2016, its 26th edition, reviews human rights practices in more than 90 countries.
An estimated 70% of women in PNG experience rape or assault in their lifetime. While violence against women has long been criminalized and domestic violence was specifically proscribed under the 2013 Family Protection Act, few perpetrators are brought to justice and the government has not yet begun to implement the Act.
Police and prosecutors rarely pursue investigations or criminal charges against people who commit family violence and instead prefer to resolve them through mediation and/or compensation.
Women and girls accused of “sorcery” or “witchcraft” are often attacked by violent mobs. In May 2015, a group of men in a remote part of Enga province killed a woman after she was accused of “sorcery.”
“Papua New Guinea is failing to meet its obligations under international law to protect women and girls from discrimination and family violence,” said Brad Adams, Asia director.
“The government should immediately begin enforcing the Family Protection Act to ensure appropriate law enforcement responses and should provide comprehensive access to services for victims of family violence.”
In 2015, prime minister Peter O’Neill continued to weaken the country’s anti-corruption agency, Task Force Sweep, by starving it of funding. In October, the government sought to suspend chief magistrate Nerrie Eliakim, who issued the arrest warrant against Prime Minister O’Neill for corruption charges.
About 930 male asylum seekers and refugees, transferred by Australia for refugee status determination, remain detained on Manus Island. Most have been held there for more than two years. Human rights organizations and media are regularly denied access to the detention centre.
The indefinite nature of detention is causing significant mental health problems, including depression and anxiety. Fifty-one of those recognized as refugees have been transferred to a transit centre, but most cannot study or work or leave Manus Island. Only three refugees have been permitted to leave Manus to work since December 2015.
Police abuse continues to be reported with little accountability even for fatalities and egregious physical abuse. In January 2015, police killed two market vendors in Port Moresby when firing indiscriminately into a crowd after a dispute between vendors and local council officials. So far no one has been arrested for the shooting.
“The government needs to address police brutality and bring any officers responsible for crimes to justice,” Adams said. “Papua New Guinea should treat asylum seekers in accordance with international standards and implement a refugee resettlement policy.”
I escaped a knife wound when I stepped in and stopped a Sepik husband from almost killing his defenseless wife at a market place when many on-lookers watched with the look on their faces "em family problem bilong tupelo". When we witness a gender based violence, we can take a bit of personal risk and do something to be part of the solution to this dreadful condition.
Posted by: Joe Herman | 31 January 2016 at 04:12 AM
Self centered leaders are putting themselves as paramount among the human race.
Placing lower status people the least so as they retaliate the social issue becomes a issue of concern to the nation.
Prime Minister thought of himself and suspended the Magistrate is a total indication of maladministration is more than rape and murder in this country.
He should have shown and lead with example than being egocentric.
Posted by: Jimmy Awagl | 30 January 2016 at 03:38 PM
The problems that affect women and girls also affect us: they are someone's daughter, sister, wife, aunty and mother.
The effects of that affects society;
it holds back development, make the general public insecure as security issues intensify and affects investments; further affects social development indicators, and the list goes on!
For starters to address the problem, the police need to do their jobs, the courts, the welfare system, and policy makers and legislators need to wake up the the realities!!
Posted by: John K Kamasua | 30 January 2016 at 02:14 PM
I know the economy is in trouble but if we can't protect our women and children from violence in all its forms, especially domestic and sexual violence, then what are we working for?
On that count the apes are doing a better job than us.
Posted by: Michael Dom | 30 January 2016 at 10:07 AM