Papua New Guinea - March 2025

Papua New Guinea police shut down access to Facebook for 25 March and part of 26 March without notice or consistent public explanation, marking the first time any government in the country took such action against media of any kind. The government has provided conflicting accounts of the purpose of the shutdown, with some spokespeople insisting it was a “test” of the state’s ability to prevent “misuse”, and others that the purpose was to prevent terrorists from planning attacks on infrastructure. Ministries have also publicly disagreed over who was involved in the decision-making process aside from the police minister. The shutdown was authorized under the 2024 Counter-Terrorism Act. Domestic civil society criticized government agencies for acting to reduce the space for freedom of expression and the press without debate, transparency, or accountability. Facebook is by far the most popular social media in the country and is both a leading forum for public discussion as well as a marketplace for small businesses and the informally employed.

Sources: Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Post Courier, DevPolicy Blog

Papua New Guinea’s parliament passed a constitutional amendment on 13 March that institutes an 18-month grace period following any failed vote of no confidence (VONC) against the prime minister. The amendment passed 81-4, surpassing the two-thirds majority required in parliament. The parliament’s habit of frequently holding or threatening VONCs has been described by analysts as a drag on parliamentary efficiency due to the working days lost and as more of a tool for bargaining with the government over state resources than holding the executive accountable. Eight of the last ten parliaments have removed at least one prime minister via VONC. While possibly strengthening political stability in a historically politically unstable country, preventing VONCs could also insulate prime ministers from parliamentary oversight.

Sources: Radio New Zealand, DevPolicy Blog, Lowy Institute

The National Court in Bulolo, Morobe Province sentenced a man to five years imprisonment on 12 March for accusing 39 year-old Lorna Nico of sorcery, which led to her rape and murder by a group of local men. The verdict marks the first time the country’s 2022 Glasman Act has successfully been used to convict a ‘glasman’, individuals who claim expertise in identifying ‘sorcerers’ in a community, who did not directly participate in the resulting murder or violence against the accused. The PNG Tribal Foundation estimates that 700 people are tortured or murdered in Sorcery Accusation Related Violence (SARV) cases every year in Papua New Guinea. Women are the primary victims of SARV, although men are accused as well. The verdict was hailed as a landmark ruling that may help to discourage SARV, although most cases of violence are not reported and the few that are, are rarely prosecuted.

Sources: Benar News, South China Morning Post, Papua New Guinea Post-Courier