Further political turmoil in Papua New Guinea
The illegal Australian-backed government in Papua New Guinea has engaged in further desperate manoeuvres and authoritarian measures to remain in office. Last Monday, police loyal to de facto Prime Minister Peter O’Neill arrested Supreme Court Justice Nicholas Kirriwom, after earlier detaining the chief justice Salamo Injia. The government also unconstitutionally convened parliament to impose a state of emergency in the country, providing police with sweeping powers of arrest and detention. The protracted political crisis in the South Pacific country began in August 2011, when Peter O’Neill and his parliamentary supporters ousted Prime Minister Michael Somare while he was receiving medical treatment in Singapore. Last December the Supreme Court ruled that this was unconstitutional and that Somare remained prime minister. O’Neill simply ignored the ruling and secured his control over the country’s military, police, and state apparatus. A supporter of closer ties with Australian investors