Declaring PNG a Christian nation won’t affect choices

DECLARING Papua New Guinea a Christian country will not infringe on the constitutional rights of people to practise any other religion of their choice, says Constitutional Law Reform Commission (CLRC) chairman Kevin Isifu.
He submitted to Prime Minister James Marape yesterday the final report prepared by CRLC on declaring PNG as a Christian country in the Constitution.
“Among the recommendations we have put through, not even one will affect our brothers and sisters from other religions to practice their faith or belief,” he said.
Isifu said the recommendations, both legal and policy, were sound to declare PNG a Christian country in the Constitution and to give prominence to God in the preamble of the constitution.
Isifu said the recommendations were supported by more 70 per cent of the people consulted in the 21 provinces and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville.
They wanted the Constitution amended to that effect.
“The recommendations in the report reflect the views of our people and it is my firm belief that they will not only give us an identity as a nation but most importantly also shape, mould and direct this nation into the future,” he said.
“I hope that the recommendations will be given serious consideration and endorsement by this Government.”
He said the CLRC would start work on the constitutional amendments and reforms immediately with other government agencies.
The review was completed in six weeks following its launching by Marape in April.