Question

To letter D.G of police control crime in your area

Answer 1

Explanation:

Mr. Sam Inguba

Commissioner of Police

Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary

Dear Commissioner Inguba:

Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International write to express deep concern over reports that police shot and killed up to three students and wounded more than twenty others near Porgera top-up primary school in Enga province on Monday 31 October 2005. According to public statements attributed to Deputy Commissioner Gari Baki, officers opened fire to disperse the crowd after students threw rocks at police. The use of lethal force against individuals without firearms, some reportedly as young as nine or ten years old, is a serious matter. We welcome the steps that you have taken to initiate an investigation into the incident. We urge you to ensure that the investigation is thorough, impartial, and transparent, and that the results are made public when it is concluded.

We recognize the responsibility of the police to uphold law and order, and in no way condone violence by individuals against police. Those who assault police officers or others should be prosecuted appropriately. Unlawful actions by some individuals, however, cannot justify excessive use of force by police officers when carrying out arrests.

We welcome the establishment of an implementation committee to give effect to the recommendations contained in the September 2004 Report of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary Administrative Review Committee to the Minister for Internal Security. The incident at Porgera serves to undermine the urgency and importance of that report, particularly as it relates to effective and transparent disciplinary and accountability mechanisms.

Thank you for your attention to our concerns, and we look forward to receiving a response at your earliest convenience.

Yours sincerely,

Zama Coursen-Neff

Senior Researcher

Children’s Rights Division

Human Rights Watch

Catherine Baber

Deputy Director Asia-Pacific Regional Program

Amnesty International

cc. Hon. Bire Kimisopa

Minister for Police

Mr. Ila Geno

Chief Ombudsman