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Death by Firing Squad

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PAPUA New Guinea's government is considering implementing death by firing squad as it moves towards toughening penalties for violent crime. PNG's National Executive Council - a cabinet-like body - agreed on Wednesday to bring a series of bills aimed at toughening the PNG criminal code to parliament when it meets in two weeks. The changes will also activate the nation's existing death penalty, scrap its controversial sorcery act and dramatically increase sentences for rape and armed robbery. PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill says the level of serious crime in the community is unacceptable, particularly crimes of sexual nature and murder. "The heinous behaviours are perpetrated by a few but the country at large is made to suffer. We must act now to protect the majority," he said in a statement. "The proposed laws are tough but they are necessary. We have to address a situation that is destroying our country." Under the proposed laws, rape will now mean

Death by Firing Squad

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PAPUA New Guinea's government is considering implementing death by firing squad as it moves towards toughening penalties for violent crime. PNG's National Executive Council - a cabinet-like body - agreed on Wednesday to bring a series of bills aimed at toughening the PNG criminal code to parliament when it meets in two weeks. The changes will also activate the nation's existing death penalty, scrap its controversial sorcery act and dramatically increase sentences for rape and armed robbery. PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill says the level of serious crime in the community is unacceptable, particularly crimes of sexual nature and murder. "The heinous behaviours are perpetrated by a few but the country at large is made to suffer. We must act now to protect the majority," he said in a statement. "The proposed laws are tough but they are necessary. We have to address a situation that is destroying our country." Under the proposed laws, rape

MEDIA FREEDOM MUST PREVAIL IN PNG

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By BELDEN NAMAH MP, I welcome Prime Minister Peter O’Neil’s decision to file a defamation suit against me. It is not surprising for Peter O’Neill to be reactive to issues that the Opposition has brought to light in recent times. It is the traditional role of the Opposition to criticise, oppose, speculate and to even take pre-emptive measures on issues that concern the welfare of our people. We are duty bound to keep the government and its leaders including the Prime Minister in check, so why is Mr O’Neill running to the courts when we are debating corruption at the National Government level? I have as a leader tolerated wild, unfounded and even malicious allegations levelled against me in the media, yet, I have not sued the perpetrators or any media organisation for reporting such allegations. I have and will always respect media freedom and freedom of expression in this country and I expect Peter O’Neill and other leaders to do likewise. My grave concern is that we now have a Prime Mi

MEDIA FREEDOM MUST PREVAIL IN PNG

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By BELDEN NAMAH MP, I welcome Prime Minister Peter O’Neil’s decision to file a defamation suit against me. It is not surprising for Peter O’Neill to be reactive to issues that the Opposition has brought to light in recent times. It is the traditional role of the Opposition to criticise, oppose, speculate and to even take pre-emptive measures on issues that concern the welfare of our people. We are duty bound to keep the government and its leaders including the Prime Minister in check, so why is Mr O’Neill running to the courts when we are debating corruption at the National Government level? I have as a leader tolerated wild, unfounded and even malicious allegations levelled against me in the media, yet, I have not sued the perpetrators or any media organisation for reporting such allegations. I have and will always respect media freedom and freedom of expression in this country and I expect Peter O’Neill and other leaders to do likewise. My grave concern is that we now

PM declares war on crime

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WILL IT WORK? PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill yesterday declared war on the escalating law and order situation which in recent weeks had brought great shame to PNG and international condemnation. The measures will include:     Immediate implementation of the death penalty;     Life sentence without parole for rape;     Repealing of the Sorcery Act to make it more effective in the fight against sorcery-related murders;     Twenty-year jail sentence for the breach of liquor laws including the making of homebrew,     Fifty-year jail sentence for drug-related offences including growing and selling of marijuana.   A high-risk prison on an isolated island is also high on the agenda in today’s cabinet meeting. He told reporters that cabinet would meet today to discuss this troubling issue, with lawyers already being instructed to draw up legislation which would be further debated in the May session of parliament. “There will be maximum penalties that have never been seen before in this country,”

PM declares war on crime

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WILL IT WORK? PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill yesterday declared war on the escalating law and order situation which in recent weeks had brought great shame to PNG and international condemnation. The measures will include:     Immediate implementation of the death penalty;     Life sentence without parole for rape;     Repealing of the Sorcery Act to make it more effective in the fight against sorcery-related murders;     Twenty-year jail sentence for the breach of liquor laws including the making of homebrew,     Fifty-year jail sentence for drug-related offences including growing and selling of marijuana.   A high-risk prison on an isolated island is also high on the agenda in today’s cabinet meeting. He told reporters that cabinet would meet today to discuss this troubling issue, with lawyers already being instructed to draw up legislation which would be further debated in the May session of parliament. “There will be maximum penalties that have never been seen before in this c

PNG to look into Death Penalty

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Papua New Guinea is considering introducing the death penalty for sorcery killings and rape after a spate of horrific crimes against women drew international condemnation. Attorney-General Kerenga Kua said public opinion had swung in favour of capital punishment after a series of brutal sorcery-related murders including beheadings and torchings, and the gang rape of a US academic. Kua said he had received more than 100 petitions from human rights and other groups across the globe calling for urgent action on the violence against women. "Those horrific, brutal, gruesome killings of the type that a woman was burnt alive to her death should attract death penalty," The National newspaper reported Kua as saying. "Most of the people are ready for it and they want it now as they are fed up of the law and order problems in this country and they want to see a more liberal use of the death penalty." In February a 20-year-old mother accused of witchcraft was stri