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PM must move on outstanding Issues

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OP/ED   Is Somare leading PNG to a Totalitarian State? On the 24 November, the Speaker of Parliament, Jeffery Nape wrote to Bart Philemon, the Deputy Opposition leader and MP for Lae. The subject of the letter was the notice of the No-confidence motion in the Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare. “The Private Business Committee met today and considered the notice of Motion of No-Confidence submitted. Following its deliberations, the Committee decided that the notice of Motion of No-Confidence was not in order,” the letter stated. Mr Nape went on to explain that even though the procedural requirements under the Standing Orders and Constitution were met, the subsequent withdrawal of four supporting members to the Motion means the requirements under Section 145 (1) (b) of the Constitution were not met. The MPs that withdrew their support were Charles Abel, Powes Parkop, Paru Aihi and Fr John Garia. Mr Philemon gave the notice on the Motion of No-Confidence to the PM on 20 July 2010, in acco

PM must move on outstanding Issues

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OP/ED   Is Somare leading PNG to a Totalitarian State? On the 24 November, the Speaker of Parliament, Jeffery Nape wrote to Bart Philemon, the Deputy Opposition leader and MP for Lae. The subject of the letter was the notice of the No-confidence motion in the Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare. “The Private Business Committee met today and considered the notice of Motion of No-Confidence submitted. Following its deliberations, the Committee decided that the notice of Motion of No-Confidence was not in order,” the letter stated. Mr Nape went on to explain that even though the procedural requirements under the Standing Orders and Constitution were met, the subsequent withdrawal of four supporting members to the Motion means the requirements under Section 145 (1) (b) of the Constitution were not met. The MPs that withdrew their support were Charles Abel, Powes Parkop, Paru Aihi and Fr John Garia. Mr Philemon gave the notice on the Motion of No-Confidence to the PM on 20 July 2010

Sorcery accusations threaten women’s security in Papua New Guinea

MEDIA GLOBAL In Papua New Guinea close to a third of the population lives below the poverty line, but that is not to say there is a shortage of cultural riches. This small nation of under seven million boosts over 850 indigenous languages and a vast number of traditional communities. The country’s constitution values Papua New Guinea’s heritage, makes room for custom law, and protects land titles of indigenous populations. As a result, eighty-two percent of Papuans are spread across rural areas, often in close-knit and unique traditional communities. But whereas Papua New Guinea is a widely diverse, the United Nations Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has recently expressed concerns about an overall growing trend of violence against women within indigenous societies, mainly as a result of sorcery or witchcraft accusations. Religious and spiritual beliefs play a crucial role in local communities. Not only is such beliefs part of the traditional way of life, they have b

Sorcery accusations threaten women’s security in Papua New Guinea

MEDIA GLOBAL In Papua New Guinea close to a third of the population lives below the poverty line, but that is not to say there is a shortage of cultural riches. This small nation of under seven million boosts over 850 indigenous languages and a vast number of traditional communities. The country’s constitution values Papua New Guinea’s heritage, makes room for custom law, and protects land titles of indigenous populations. As a result, eighty-two percent of Papuans are spread across rural areas, often in close-knit and unique traditional communities. But whereas Papua New Guinea is a widely diverse, the United Nations Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has recently expressed concerns about an overall growing trend of violence against women within indigenous societies, mainly as a result of sorcery or witchcraft accusations. Religious and spiritual beliefs play a crucial role in local communities. Not only is such beliefs part of the traditional way of life, they ha

PNG PM denies kidnapping allegations

AAP Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Michael Somare has denied claims he ordered a kidnap and attacked a non-government organisation activist. Earlier this month Noel Anjo, an outspoken critic of the government, claimed he was bashed at the prime minister's home in 2009. A front page newspaper story, supported by PNG's opposition, reported Mr Anjo's allegations that plain clothed police took him to Sir Michael's official residence, where the prime minister and his wife Lady Veronica Somare repeatedly punched him. In parliament on Wednesday, Sir Michael rejected Mr Anjo's claims. "I can assure this parliament that Veronica and I never laid a finger on Noel Anjo let alone order any kidnapping," Sir Michael said. "These claims remain allegations until they are proven. "I want to let this house know that to date no charges have been laid against me. "Only if the matter is taken up in court will I be obligated to answer to these politically-motiva

PNG PM denies kidnapping allegations

AAP Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Michael Somare has denied claims he ordered a kidnap and attacked a non-government organisation activist. Earlier this month Noel Anjo, an outspoken critic of the government, claimed he was bashed at the prime minister's home in 2009. A front page newspaper story, supported by PNG's opposition, reported Mr Anjo's allegations that plain clothed police took him to Sir Michael's official residence, where the prime minister and his wife Lady Veronica Somare repeatedly punched him. In parliament on Wednesday, Sir Michael rejected Mr Anjo's claims. "I can assure this parliament that Veronica and I never laid a finger on Noel Anjo let alone order any kidnapping," Sir Michael said. "These claims remain allegations until they are proven. "I want to let this house know that to date no charges have been laid against me. "Only if the matter is taken up in court will I be obligated to answer to these politicall

PNG PARLIAMENT A CIRCUS

OP/ED Parliament Speaker Jeffery Nape is the member for Sinasina/Yongumugl in the Chimbu Province. This is his second term in office as a parliamentarian and he was voted in as Speaker of the Papua New Guinea Parliament on May 28, 2004. He immediately became acting Governor General because the office was vacant. He succeeded Bill Skate in both roles. He ceased acting as Governor General on June 29, 2004, when Paulias Matane was sworn in. Following the 2007 general election, Nape was re-elected as Speaker on August 13, 2007, defeating the opposition's candidate for the position, Bart Philemon, with 86 votes against 22 for Philemon. He was sworn in by Governor General Paulias Matane on the same day. Over the two and half years Mr Nape had held this post, he has made some controversial decisions that no other Speaker in PNG has ever made. In the July session of Parliament, Bulolo MP, Sam Basil even tried to oust him from the Speaker's Chair by moving a vote of no-conf