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Papua New Guinea

Monthly Event Reports

August 2023 | Violence engulfs highlands region

A wave of violence between the Mupapalu and Nenei tribes in Enga Province over a land dispute has claimed around 150 lives and left thousands displaced in the month of August, although the lack of official infrastructure in the region and limited police presence means the total scale of the violence remains unclear. While tribes have historically used regulated forms of combat to settle grievances in parts of Papua New Guinea, local police say the latest wave of violence is unique due to a flood of weapons and mercenaries into the region. The International Committee for the Red Cross credited “the breaking down of traditional hierarchies and rules, the loss of some traditional values such as respect for women and children, and an influx of modern weapons” with the severity of the violence.

June 2023 | Government-Bougainville independence talks at a standstill

The government of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville accused the national government of obstructing the region’s agreed-upon path to independence on 25 June. The national government has promised to take up the results of a 2019 Bougainville referendum in which over 97 per cent of voters voted for independence. While the national government argues it is within the power of parliament to accept or reject the result under the terms of the 2001 Bougainville Peace Agreement, and that granting the autonomous region independence requires a two-thirds-majority, the region’s government argues that parliament can only endorse the results and must grant the region independence between 2025 and 2027. The two governments remain at an impasse, with concerns that a parliamentary vote without proper preparations could lead to a clear “no” vote.

March 2023 | Bribery investigation sparks state probe

Prime Minister James Marape announced an internal government probe in response to a joint Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project and Australian Broadcasting Corporation investigation into the state-owned ports company. The investigation documented millions of dollars of payments to an Australian consultant from the winning bidder for lucrative contracts. The consultant then used the money to finance personal expenses of the senior officials at the ports company. Marape admitted to having played golf with the consultant but denied significant knowledge of his background or business.

December 2022 | Population mystery raises governance questions

An unpublished study by the United Nations Population Fund suggested Papua New Guinea’s population may be twice the official number of 9.4 million. Prime Minister James Marape suggested the number was more likely between 9 and 11 million but did not know the precise size of the population. Experts quoted in media reports were not convinced the UN figure was accurate but agreed that a new census was needed to ensure that millions of citizens were not being denied access to key services or the right to vote. The country’s next census is scheduled for 2024.

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GSoD Indices Data 2013-2022

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Basic Information

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Population Tooltip
9 119 000
System of government
Parliamentary system
Head of government
Prime Minister James Marape (since 2019)
Head of government party
Pangu Party
Electoral system for lower or single chamber
Alternative Vote
Women in lower or single chamber
1.8%
Women in upper chamber
Not applicable
Last legislative election
2022
Head of state
King Charles III
Selection process for head of state
Hereditary or election by hereditary state rulers
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) date
04/11/2021
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) percentage of recommendations supported
62.73%
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Human Rights Treaties

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State Party State party
Signatory Signatory
No Action No action
United Nations Human Right Treaties
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
State Party
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
State Party
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
State Party
Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
State Party
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
No Action
Convention on the Rights of the Child
State Party
International Convention on Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
No Action
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance 
No Action
International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
State Party
International Labour Organisation Treaties
Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention
State Party
Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention
State Party
Equal Remuneration Convention
State Party
Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention
State Party
Convention concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment
State Party
Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention
State Party
in
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Categories of Democratic Performance

Representation neutral Representation
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Representation neutral Rule of law
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Representation neutral Participation
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Global State of Democracy Indices

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Representation
Representation
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/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rights
Rights
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rule of Law
Rule of Law
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/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Participation
Participation
0
/1
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Annual value

Factors of Democratic Performance Over Time

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