CLRC CONDUCTING POLICE BRUTALITY LAW REVIEW
By Rebecca MARIGU, Kavieng
Laws surrounding Police Brutality is currently being reviewed with consultations happening nationwide.
A team from the Constitutional And Law Reform Commission are in New Ireland for the Review of Laws Relating to Police Brutality.
According to Team leader Salome Balmer, over K37 million kina is budgeted annually for compensation by the state. Consultation sought views from the LLG managers, women and community leaders, peace officers and the media.
Meanwhile other teams are in West New Britain and Milne Bay to get a collective voice on the laws surrounding police brutality.
A draft report will be compiled and presented on the floor of parliament for the review at the cabinet.
Constitutional and Law Reform Commission’s (CLRC) Secretary, Dr. Mange Matui during the launching of the Issues Paper on the Terms of Reference (TOR 24), Review of Laws relating to Vicarious Liability, focusing on Police brutality in PNG, stated that the CLRC will be consulting with the relevant stakeholders throughout the country on the issue of police brutality.
And given that it is a serious national issue, the Commission will take a holistic approach.
Secretary Matui stated that, Issues Paper is the result of the sudden spike in reported cases of police brutality which prompt the Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Pila Ninigi, to issue TOR 24.
Dr. Matui emphasized the importance of having open mind and fairness in approaching such an issue; and the Issues Paper launched provides a comprehensive analysis of current laws surrounding vicarious liability, focusing on police brutality, and through consultation, identify whether current laws comply with practice.
Consultations with stakeholders and the general public are now under way as the Commission along with relevant state agency representatives from the PNGRC, PNGDNPM, Office of the Solicitor General and the Public Solicitor are currently visiting selected provinces throughout the country to gather first-hand data on the issue.
