Upfront Indepth News

11/03/2025

NCD MELSOL PRESS RELEASE - MEDIA STATEMENT

NATIONAL INTEREST MESSAGE ON THE BARUNI EVICTION

Port Moresby, Wed 10 -03-25

The Baruni settlement eviction is not just about crime and land—it is about human rights, governance, and the dignity of Papua New Guineans. Baruni eviction has raised serious concerns about human rights violations, police misconduct, and governance failures. While addressing criminal activities is necessary, law enforcement must operate within the legal framework, ensuring justice does not come at the cost of innocent families losing their homes and displaced without care.

Key concerns:

Evictions must comply with Section 53 of the PNG Constitution, which protects against unlawful property deprivation.

The Land Act 1996 mandates proper legal procedures, including fair notice and relocation plans.

International treaties caution against evictions that cause homelessness and social unrest.

Evictions must be conducted legally with notice, relocation plans, and in humane ex*****on.

Police must be well prepared to avoid misconduct during evictions, and if in breach, be subject to investigations and offenders prosecuted.

Urban planning and affordable housing must be prioritized over forced removals by the City Authority.

Customary land settlements need to be sensitively addressed with the Motu Koita Assembly landowners and City Authority proactively engaged to find solutions

We call upon the government to:

Investigate and hold accountable those responsible for illegal eviction actions.

Develop a national housing strategy that prevents the rise of informal settlements.

Ensure justice for both the murder victim and displaced families through lawful interventions.

This is a defining moment for Papua New Guinea—our response will determine whether we uphold the rule of law, human dignity, and long-term urban development or continue on a path of reactionary, forceful, and unjust removals.
The people of Port Moresby and PNG deserve better.
CALL FOR ACTION:

We urge the National Government, NCD authorities, and law enforcement agencies
to:

1. Conduct an Independent Investigation

A Commission of Inquiry (Ombudsman, Human Rights Watch, Public Solicitor’s Office) must probe the eviction and hold those responsible accountable.

2. Enforce Legal and Policy Reforms

Amend the Land Act 1996 to require minimum notice periods and relocation plans before any eviction.

Strengthen police oversight to prevent misconduct during evictions.

3. Ensure Justice for the Murder Victim

Expedite prosecution of those responsible while ensuring that law enforcement does not criminalize entire communities.

4. Implement Humanitarian Response & Resettlement Plans

Provide emergency shelter, food, and medical aid for displaced families.

Partner with State, NGOs and churches for long-term resettlement model.

This eviction is a wake-up call for the government to implement sustainable urban planning and housing reforms rather than resorting to forced removals.

The situation gives rise for a creative approach to an urban setting problem addressed in a rural setting development strategy (State Farming)

We stand with the affected families and demand justice, accountability, and humane solutions for all Papua New Guineans.

[END]









PROPOSED SOLUTIONS TO PREVENT FUTURE FORCED EVICTIONS IN PORT MORESBY

To address illegal forced evictions and the growth of informal settlements, long-term solutions must be prioritized:

1. Stronger Legal Protections for Evictions

Enforce court-approved eviction procedures that include proper notice and relocation plans.

Establish a Housing Tribunal to mediate disputes before eviction occurs.

2. Affordable Housing & Urban Resettlement Strategy

Develop low-cost housing projects in designated areas to accommodate families displaced from informal settlements.

Provide land titles and structured housing support for long-term settlers.

3. Settlement Upgrades & Land Tenure Reforms

Convert informal settlements into regulated townships with basic services and infrastructure.

Allow long-term settlers to purchase land under government-backed financing schemes.

4. Improved Community Policing & Crime Prevention

Strengthen neighborhood policing to prevent crime without the need for mass evictions.

Train police officers on lawful eviction procedures and human rights protection.

Establish a specialized police unit to head and deal with evictions.

5. National Housing & Land Commission (NHLC)

Create a dedicated government agency to oversee housing development, land allocation, and eviction oversight.

Land Commission to determine land ownership status with the City Authority, Motu Koita Assembly and Landowners, be it customary or State, prior to any development on the land taking place.

6. Public-Private Partnerships for Housing

Engage corporate investors in building affordable housing instead of high-end real
estate developments.

By implementing these measures, Port Moresby can transition toward a planned, inclusive, and legally compliant housing system.

[End]

11/03/2025

Papua New Guinea Trade Union Congress

9th of March, 2025

Press Statement

GOVERNMENT AND TRADE UNION CONGRESS UNITE TO TACKLE WORKPLACE HARRASMENT AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has welcomed a new partnership with the PNG Trade Union Congress (PNGTUC) in a collaborative effort to combat workplace harassment and gender-based violence (GBV).

The initiative aims to introduce stronger policies, advocacy programmes, and legal frameworks to protect women and girls in the workforce and beyond.

This follows a walk organised by NCDC and the PNG Trade Union Congress to commemorate International Women’s Day on Saturday March 9th, 2025.

At a high-level meeting yesterday, ( Sunday) PNGTUC General Secretary Clemence Kanau high- lighted the critical role of trade unions in addressing GBV and workplace harassment, stating that this issue has never been formally tackled in employment contracts before.
”GBV is a serious problem. As unions, we have fought for workers’ rights for many years, but this is one issue that has never been properly addressed in our workplaces,” Kanau said.
“We want to collaborate with the Employers’ Federation and other stakehold- ers to develop a policy that will make workplace harassment a dismissible of- fence. This is something new, and we are committed to making it work.”
Kanau further outlined PNGTUC’s nationwide approach, which includes advo- cacy in schools, workplaces, and rural communities to educate young boys and girls about the importance of respect, safeguarding women, and reject- ing violence.
“ We must train boys and girls in classrooms so they understand why violence is wrong and learn to protect their sisters and mothers,” he added.
“This will not only empower women but also create a generation of men who stand against violence.”
Prime Minister Marape commended PNGTUC’s initiative and agreed that legal amendments may be necessary to incorporate anti-harassment and anti-vio- lence clauses into employment contracts.
“This is a powerful and necessary step,” Prime Minister Marape said. “We already have workplace policies that address harassment, but they are often confined to specific organisations. It’s time to expand these protections across all sectors and make them a national standard.”
The Prime Minister reiterated that combating GBV is not just about workplace policies—it starts in the home. He noted that abusive behaviour, whether by men or women, must be addressed at its root cause to create a society where violence is unacceptable in every form.
“Leadership starts in the home. If a person is found to be abusive—whether it’s a man towards a woman or vice versa—there must be consequences. We must change our national mindset,” Prime Minister Marape stated.
Kanau also emphasised the importance of engaging international organisa- tions, diplomatic missions, and development partners in this effort. PNGTUC plans to work closely with the United Nations, employers’ groups, and civil so- ciety organisations to ensure this initiative is well-resourced and effectively im- plemented.
“Unions have been fighting for workers’ rights for years, but often governments do not listen to us,” Kanau said. “However, because of our democratic foun- dation, unions remain a critical voice in society. This collaboration is our first major step towards institutionalising protections against workplace harassment and GBV.”
PNGTUC’s strategy includes:
• Developing curriculum-based advocacy programmes in schools to educate young people about gender equality and violence prevention.
• Strengthening link with rural communities to ensure that anti-violence mes- sages reach all Papua New Guineans, not just those in urban centres.
• Incorporating GBV protections into labour laws and workplace policies to ensure victims are protected and offenders are held accountable.
As part of PNG’s 50th anniversary of independence commemorations, Prime Minister Marape emphasised that addressing GBV and workplace harassment must be a key part of the country’s long-term development goals.
“This issue is not just about workplace policies—it is about creating a safer, more respectful society,” Prime Minister Marape said. “As we reflect on our nation’s journey over the past 50 years, let us make a commitment to ensuring that our next 50 years are defined by equality, justice, and respect for all.”
The government, in collaboration with PNGTUC, will work towards legislative changes, workplace reforms, and national awareness campaigns to ensure that violence and harassment in any form are no longer tolerated in Papua New Guinea.

Authorized by
Clemence Kanau
General Secretary
PNG Trade Union Congress

09/03/2025

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