Press Release – United Nations Human Rights Commissioner

Papua New Guinea has re-committed its efforts to eradicate the practice of torture and ill treatment in prisons. PNG Takes Steps To Eradicate Torture In Prisons

Papua New Guinea has re-committed its efforts to eradicate the practice of torture and ill treatment in prisons.

In a speech delivered last night, Mr Stephen Pokanis, Acting Deputy Commissioner, Correctional Services, stated: “We acknowledge and accept that there is ill treatment and torture in prisons. We strongly believe that with training and awareness we can learn to run prisons better using innovation and within the resources we already have.”

Mr Pokanis made the comments at a reception during a three-day workshop on prison management and human rights with prison officials organised jointly by the Papua New Guinea Correctional Services and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The workshop follows a Pacific-wide meeting held in November last year where Pacific Island Countries committed to the eradication of torture and ill-treatment and the visit of the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture to Papua New Guinea in May this year.

The workshop focuses on practical ways prison officials can better implement their national laws that provide for a system of prison management where human rights are respected as well as provide expert information about current international laws, standards and practice for the prevention of torture.

Mr David McLachlan-Karr, Resident Coordinator, United Nations Country Team in Papua New Guinea said. “Experience from around the world and the Pacific region demonstrates that prisons can function as places that rehabilitate ex-offenders, improving safety and security for community, prison administrators and detainees.

I am encouraged by the commitment of Correctional Services to eradicate torture in prisons and believe that Papua New Guinea has an important role to play in the region in developing best practice in the respect for human rights in prisons.”

Members of civil society, the diplomatic community and international donors based in Port Moresby also attended the reception.

ENDS

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