Papua New Guinea Government denying her people's Constitutional Rights
Opposition Leader Sir Mekere Morauta today said that the decision by the Police last week to prevent the Salvation Army and the PNG Council of Churches from holding a march and rally in support of the United National "Stand Up, Take Action" campaign represented a very worrying trend.
"Why would anyone in authority prevent this rally from taking place?" Sir Mekere said. "All that these church and civil society representatives wished to do was to express their concern about poverty and Papua New Guinea’s lack of progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals, and to debate these issues. What is wrong with that? We should be encouraging such debate. But it seems the Government wants no public discussion of anything," Sir Mekere said. "Where is Michael Somare? This is not the Michael Somare that Papua New Guinea used to know?" "Where have our democratic rights and freedoms gone under this Somare-NA Government?" Sir Mekere asked. "This is yet another example of the trend of this Government of turning PNG into a Mugabe-type regime."
"The important institutions of state, like the Police, are fast being turned into compliant tool kits by the Government for its political interest." "Section 46 of our Constitution expressly provides for freedom of expression; Section 47 provides for the right to freedom of assembly and association; Section 57 provides for enforcement of these guaranteed rights and freedoms. Is it not the job of the Police to uphold our Constitution and our laws? Their action to disallow the Churches’ rally is a violation of the Constitution."
Sir Mekere said that a similar incident occurred last week, when the Police prevented a peaceful March from being held in Madang, to protest against the Marine Industrial Park to be built at Vidar. "The march had been approved by the provincial police authorities, but apparently a government minister complained to Police Headquarters, who overturned the decision and banned the march."
Sir Mekere said the Police hierarchy should remember they were not the political servants of the Government. "The Police Force is an independent constitutional authority. But it seems the Police are now completely at the bidding of the Government, stifling debate and preventing citizens from expressing their views."
"What are the Government and the Police scared of? The reason given for not approving the Madang march was that due to recent unrest over the position, power and conduct of some Asians, protest marches had been banned throughout the country. What nonsense." "In whose interests is the country being governed? A foreign power? Foreign business interests? Illegal immigrants? Certainly not for Papua New Guineans."
Sir Mekere said that Captain Kerari of the Salvation Army had made a very forceful point when questioning the decision to ban the church rally when he said: "we do not want to be seen as humbugs; we were planning on a peaceful rally with prayer and singing." Sir Mekere urged all Papua New Guineans to speak out and to insist on protection of their constitutional rights.
Mekere Morauta, Kt MP
Leader of the Opposition & Member for Moresby North-West
PO Parliament House, Waigani
National Capital District, Papua New Guinea
Tel: 3277 631 Fax: 3277 632
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Labels: PNG News
posted by whponline @ 4:32 PM
1 Comments
1 Comments:
Has the time arrived when a no confidence vote might succeed?
Very unlikely unless the Opposition uses the same tactics as the so called government to achieve a majority vote. If sufficient enticement is on offer from Sir Mekere, wouldn't that ensure the same sort of regime might exit after a successful 'No Confidence' vote?
Given the precedence and ability of the Speaker, (who under PNG's Constitution can step into the Governor General's shoes at anytime the present GG is out of the country or is bypassed), to manipulate the Parliament so that the government can't lose a vote, what chance is there for any change of direction?
The second dilemma facing the Opposition is one of the old adage: "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em." If the bride price, sorry, bribe price of compliance last time was K2m per member and the price this time is a reported, possible Ministry, what can the Opposition offer in return? Schools, hospitals, and essential services that are properly funded and working to help the ordinary people? What's the other choice for 'ordinary' members? Personal wealth, prestige and a chance to buy your own re election?
If the Opposition does learn for its past mistakes and does present a united front, will it be allowed to participate in a parliamentary vote anyway? Parliament can merely be adjourned (some may say summarily dismissed), again without a vote being recorded. There are historical precedences for that to: Just refer back a few hundred years to Oliver Cromwell.
PNG's PM has just returned from a golf day in Fiji and has sought to unite Melanesian support and solidarity by saying that Fiji is really OK and it's Australia and New Zealand (and the Commonwealth etc.) that are wrong in decrying Fiji's military coup. Now it doesn't take the proverbial 'Blind Freddy' to make a quantum leap and suggest the continuance of power at ANY cost might be on Sir Michael's mind. The self confessed River god was 'cock a hoop' the last time he manipulated (he reportedly called it tricked), parliamentary rule to suit himself and his cartel. Let's not forget the Moti Inquiry and all the rest of the corruption even Sir Michael now admits goes on in PNG. It will take a loyal police force to ensure any 'critical mass' will not have a chance of developing. Jusdt look at what happened with the latest Police ban of the Salvation Army's march and preyer inititaive. What a good thing the Police Force have all just received a large pay rise isn't it? Pity about the rest of PNG workers though.
Oh PNG, how is it that it all has come to this? You had so much promise of better things for your people at Independence.
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