UPNG PROTEST ON TODAY

UPNG BOYCOTTS IN PROTEST OVER BILL


Students at the University of Papua New Guinea boycotted classes today in protest over Parliament's passage of the controversial Judicial Conduct Bill.


And there's still uncertainty whether the boycotting will continue.
...
In a statement, the Student Representative Council President Emmanuel Issac labelled the new law as dictatorial, that will interfere with the Constitutional functions of the Judiciary.


The student council has put together a petition, consisting more than one-hundred points, for Parliament to rescind its decision.


Copies of the petition will be presented to Speaker Jeffery Nape, and Parliament-elect Prime Minister Peter O'Neil by the Student Representative Council, while other copies will be given to the 109 members of Parliament.



A Review of the Judicial Conduct Bill 2012

We, the students of the University of Papua New Guinea have met today in light of the actions of our National Parliament in regard to the passing of the Judicial Conduct Bill, which virtually gives Parliament the power to suspend Honourable Justices of the National and Supreme Courts. 

While we honour the pledge we made to support the O’Neill/Namah Government back in the Prime Minister’s September 2011 visit to THE Waigani Campus, WE IN THE STRONGEST OF TERMS DENOUNCE THE PASSING OF THE JUDICIAL CONDUCT BILL 2012. 

As educated Papua New Guineans we have discussed the Bill and its implications at length in forums sanctioned by the UPNG SRC. We have had our Law Students, Politics students, Public Policy Students and students from all schools of thought read into the Bill and offer their learned views on what this law will effectively mean for the future of Governance in Papua New Guinea.

And we have, in One Voice concluded that the Judicial Conduct Bill is dangerous and abusive of established Constitutional and legislative processes and Offices already in operation and force.
In this brief paper we will discuss the Bill’s substantive provisions and our concerns regarding to each.




UPDATES TO COME, STAY TUNED!


UPDATE 2
While the boycott of classes continues at UPNG, the plan protest march is stalled, Andy Bawa  who is the Metropolitan  Superintendent in charge of NCD has gone in personally and has issued stop orders. Student defy orders and the March is now on.


#Occupywaigani Twitter Feed 

  • Heavy police presence every where at Fort Bennor 
  • This looks like it may be turning from a protest march against the Judicial Conduct Act 2012 to one against O'Neill/Namah Government
  • UPNG students have demanded a government Minister come to receive the petition. March getting bigger! Lots of bystanders   

Comments

  1. AnonymousMarch 23, 2012 at 11:14 AM

    Hooray! Kids should not jump to support evil regime like O'Neill's without seeking wisdom of elders. Good lessons are learnt. Now let's see how we can help in building your petition.

    The Judicial Conduct Bill 2012 that was passed 63-7 on Wednesday, 21 March 2012 is corrupt as it is unconstitutional. Some learned views are in today's dailies and Sunday papers will carry some more it is believed.
    ESP Government reference has been concluded. Supreme Court handed down its decision on 12 December 2012 but O'Neill regime have not vacated office for Grand Chief Somare to resume office.
    Instead Parliament and Speaker and Dr Marat for O'Neill regime have filed references. They do not want these references heard. This is the reason for the Judicial Conduct Bill. But if the references were heard and decision made it will not be binding according to their flawed legal advice. This is abuse of courts process which is corruption.
    As to the constitutionality of the Bill it is unconstitutional. It is for vested interest as opposed to public interest. It affects rights. As such the Bill fails tests in Constitution for express limitation, and compensation for denial of human and constitutional rights.

    Well done young people thus far for our national unity and governance of statecraft founded on the Constitution, rule of law and due process.

    God bless to all of you for your efforts.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMarch 23, 2012 at 11:18 AM

    Sorry date of Supreme Court decision on ESP Government reference is 12 December 2011. ( not 2012)

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMarch 23, 2012 at 12:13 PM

    It's about time you students rise up to this illegal regime. It's clear the bill is aimed at our CJ. You should call on the GAY DPM to resign as well.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMarch 23, 2012 at 2:31 PM

    Congrats kids for your courage. We your fathers, mothers, uncles, aunties, brothers and sisters and bubus who are repository of wisdom are with you lest those dictators at Waigani forget.
    And kids please hand your petition and disband to campus before close of business to avoid any bad intentioned person( s) taking advantage of your genuine protest. Good bless you all.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousMarch 23, 2012 at 5:13 PM

    We unitech students would most likely do the same.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousMarch 23, 2012 at 6:53 PM

    Excellent but do keep within reason. Elders of our nation are watching and God is too.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousMarch 24, 2012 at 8:28 AM

    By way of observation, discussions on Twitter do not have benefit of comments on this blog. Twitters will benefit from accessing them. Any views?

    ReplyDelete

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