[1] Police brutality, provincial power struggles, violence against women, and government corruption all contribute to the low awareness of basic human rights in the country.
Economic, social and cultural rights are not included in the constitution and are instead provided for in the National Goals and Directive Principles.
[2] PNG has ratified 6 of the core human rights treaties; the third highest number in the Pacific behind New Zealand and Australia.
[6] This draft Bill has yet to go through the parliamentary process and it is unclear whether the O'Neill Government remains committed to the establishment of this institution.
The Constitution provides for the right of citizens to change their government peacefully which is exercised in practice through periodic elections.
There is no evidence of officially sanctioned government censorship, however newspaper owners have complained about intimidation tactics being used in an attempt to influence coverage.
[7] In July 2010 the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women urged the government to "put in place without delay a comprehensive strategy, including legislation, to modify or eliminate customary practices and stereotypes that discriminate against women in conformity with articles 2, 2 (f) and 5 (a) of the Convention.
[12] In 2009, a group of men stripped a woman naked, bound her hands and feet, forced a cloth in her mouth and then burnt her to death on a dumpsite.
[16] Recognition of indigenous rights in the country is poor and the divide in language, customs and tradition, has resulted in regular intertribal feuds.
While the bow and arrows has been the staple weapon for centuries, the recent introduction of automatic firearms have led to more tragic outcomes.
[18] On May 27, 2010 the government of PNG passed the Environment (Amendment) Bill 2010 [19] which amends sections of the Environment and Conservation Act 2000 and gives the Secretary of the Department of Conservation the power to approve activities by mining and petroleum companies without the agreement of the traditional landowners.
Any approval issued by the director will be final and “may not be challenged or reviewed in any court or tribunal, except at the instigation of an Authorization Instrument”.