The South Pacific Lawyers’ Association (SPLA) notes the statement on 5 January 2024 issued by the Papua New Guinea Law Society condemning violence in Goilala, Central Province and its earlier statement of 25 October 2024 in relation to escalating violence in Enga Province in Papua New Guinea.

SPLA shares the concerns of the Law Society regarding recurrent intercommunal violence in Papua New Guinea and the need for a comprehensive response to these instances and contributing drivers of violence.

SPLA also expresses its concern regarding online threats of physical violence which have been made against the President of Papua New Guinea, Mr Hubert Namani following the issuance of recent statements. Threats of violence are never acceptable.

SPLA emphasises the importance of adequate and well-resourced investigations into the violence in accordance with due process and the rule of law, and supports calls of the Law Society for government and community leaders to work collectively to ensure communities can live in security without fear of violence.

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Read media release here.