Following and abiding the rule of law is paramount

Papua New Guinea is a young democratic country. Like many other countries who fall under this same category, we are a country based on laws, common understanding, and principles. We are a nation of diverse cultures and we are always surrounded by our laws of the land.

Our principles of equality and freedom must be reflected by all citizens being equal before the law, and having equal access to power under the protection of our constitution. However, recent developments within the government ranks and it's leaders have raised a series of questions to be answered.

Those who claim themselves as 'leaders' formulate a different branch of the system of rule to accumulate power and prestige that is not in the best interest of the majority. From the perspective of 'thinking' Papua New Guineans and well versed critics, it is 'harmful' to Papua New Guinea's democracy itself.

On the same token, people who were given the mandate to lead other people manipulate the laws to suit their self interests while in the process make a mockery of our constitution. It is prevalent to us that one or two people are running the country while other leaders around the corridors of Waigani are window dressers.

Without responsible government or constitutional protections of our individual liberties from democratic power, it is possible for dissenting individuals to be oppressed by the 'tyranny' of one or two persons. Please, give us the freedom again to exercise our full political pluralism, equality before the law, the right to petition elected officials for redress of grievances, due process, civil liberties, human rights, and elements of civil society outside the government.

To use any method other than 'abiding the rule of law' violates the rule of law our country has been built upon. To downgrade the importance of following the law in government matters moves us one step closer to government totalitarianism - a country with laws applying to the citizens but not to the government elite and those who do whatever it takes to cling onto power as it's their birth right.

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