Tougher laws for violet crimes in Papua New Guinea

Source: The National, Thursday 2nd May 2013

The National Executive Council has approved a legislative action plan to address community concerns over the level of violent crimes in the country.

 Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said laws would be drafted to increase the penalty for violent crimes such as rape and murder.“The level of these serious crimes in our community, particularly crimes of sexual nature and murder are unacceptable,” he said.

 “The heinous behaviour is perpetrated by a few, but the country at large is made to suffer. “We must act now to protect the majority. “The proposed laws are tough, but they are necessary. “We have to address a situation that is destroying our country.” The NEC has authorised Attorney-Ge­neral Kerenga Kua to table the proposed laws in parliament when it meets in two weeks.

A government statement yesterday said the proposed legislation would clear hurdles so that the death penalty could be implemented. It said among the methods of execution discussed was death by firing squad, considered more humane and inexpensive than others. But O’Neill said cabinet had not settled on a method yet.

Cabinet has also decided that the execution centre for those on death row will be in a new maximum security prison to be built in a remote area, preferably a remote island.

Under the proposed laws:

• Rape will attract life imprisonment without parole;
• -Armed robbery will attract 30 years; 
• -The Sorcery Act will be repealed so that sorcery-related crimes are punishable under the Criminal Code; 
• -Drug abuse will now attract a minimum of 10 years; and
• -Penalties for all forms of assault will be increased.

O’Neill said alcohol licencing would become a “national function and no longer a provincial function”.

Trading hours for alcohol will be limited from noon to 2am for licenced premises, and noon to 6pm for retail outlets. The government statement said any breach of the liquor laws would attract 10 years imprisonment or a heavy fine for licences or consumers. The penalty for the possession of unlicenced firearm is now 10 years, while manufacturing of firearm attracts a 20-year penalty.