Christian nation declaration inquiry closed, says Isifu

The Constitutional and Law Reform Commission (CLRC) chairman Kevin Isifu has announced that the inquiry on the declaration of PNG as Christian country in the Constitution has closed yesterday.
“The CLRC will not be involved in any discussion or accept any more submissions after this date,” he said in a statement.
Isifu said the CLRC was working on editing and finalising the final report before endorsement by the commissioners in anticipation for presentation to Prime Minister James Marape on July 16 for tabling in Parliament during the August sitting.
The final report will comprise two volumes – volume 1 captures the nationwide consultations and views collected while volume 2 will contain literature reviews and recommendations.
“The CLRC remains neutral and is not insensitive to make blind, half-baked recommendations but guarantees meticulous analysis for a holistic final outcome that also considers the implications on democracy, human rights, PNG customs and traditions, and Christianity itself and other religions and faiths,” Isifu said.
He thanked Marape for entrusting the commission with the inquiry as well as other key stakeholders such as the Department of Community Development and Religion, churches, provincial administrations, local MPs and Papua New Guineans for their contributions
The inquiry was launched on April 23.
The CLRC carried out a nationwide consultation in all the provinces and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville on May 2.