Somare's attempts at dictatorship gather pace

ACTNOW


Prime Minister Michael Somare's attempts to rule Papua New Guinea like an African dictator have taken another step forward with an Edict from the Minister for Justice (see attached pdf below) that bans public debate on the Environment Act amendment and orders the police to stop any public gatherings or protests.
Over recent months we have seem Somare treat Parliament with contempt. He has bulldozed legislation through the House without any prior consultation, Parliamentary scrutiny or debate. He has ordered the Clerk of Parliament not to accept a public petition with over 20,000 signatures. He has refused to step aside to face the serious criminal charges that should flow from his illegal and criminal conduct in the Moti Affair.
Now he has topped all of that with an audacious move to silence any debate about the controversial amendments to the Environment Act.
Justice Minister and Attorney General, Ano Pala, has circulated to the media an astonishing edict (see below) in which he informs the public there will be:
  • no more discussion, comment or reference in the media to the Environment Act amendments
  • no talk back radio programs or interviews
  • no more advertisements
  • no more letters to the editor
  • no more protest meetings
  • no public demonstrations, and
  • no public marches.
His notice also directs the police to cancel and not authorize any further public meetings, protest demonstrations or marches against the Environment Act amendments.
This is an utterly outrageous attempt by a draconian government to stifle public debate and deny citizens their constitutional rights.
The government has NO right to tell the people what they can and cannot do in this fashion
They have no rights to try and control the media
They have no rights to tell the police what they can and cannot do.
The government’s claimed justification that as the laws are being challenged in the Supreme Court the whole matter is sub judice is complete and utter nonsense. There is nothing before the Supreme Court in the Reference that prevents the MEDIA or ANYONE else from discussing whether or not it is a good piece of legislation.
The government also seems to have forgotten that  it is itself organizing conferences and debates on another piece of legislations that is before the Supreme Court – the law on the Integrity of Political Parties. So why the double standard?
It also appears that the Minister, in attempting to usurp the powers of the police and stop people from expressing themselves – which is guaranteed by the Constitution, is himself engaging in unlawful conduct!


Comments

  1. AnonymousJune 29, 2010 at 5:18 PM

    Damn hillarious cartoon you put up! It hits the nail right on the head.

    ReplyDelete

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