Minister reviews death penalty

The National Main Stories

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
THINGS may sound brighter for 12 prisoners on death row as new Justice Minister Bryan Kramer is talking about reviewing the death penalty and its method.
He wants to look at whether the sentence has resulted in the reduction or prevention of serious crimes.
Kramer said in response to questions from The National that he would be: “Reviewing the issue of death penalty as it was a contentious issue on account that we claim to be a Christian nation.
“Prime Minister James Marape has raised similar concerns.
“Given our Christian values and beliefs, we will be reviewing the issue.
“A research will be done into whether the death penalty has resulted in reduction or prevention of serious crimes.”
Former justice minister and attorney-general Davis Steven had told The National last year that the issue of death penalty before the National Executive Council (NEC) was the mode of execution.
“The NEC will review the law that imposes and recognises this penalty, those who have been found guilty and condemned by a court order, will have to be dealt with,” Steven said.
“Those who are now on the death penalty who have exhausted their appeals and all the other processes, we have no choice but to execute them.”
Across the country, there were 14 prisoners, however, two were released from their sentences and 12 prisoners remain on death row.
Six listed below are serving at the Kerevat prison, Gazelle, East New Britain:

  • Gregory Klapkot, 54, from Lokanai, New Ireland, murder and sea piracy, convicted in July 2011;
  • Martin Pigi, 52, New Ireland, murder and sea piracy, convicted in July 2011;
  • Peter Taul, 52, Pilapila, East New Britain, murder and sea piracy, convicted in July 2011;
  • Tobung Paraide, 56, Pilapila, East New Britain, murder and sea piracy, convicted in July 2011;
  • Bochea Agena, 57, Duke of York Islands, East New Britain, murder and sea piracy, convicted July 2011; and,
  • Kenney Wesley, 51, Duke of York Islands, East New Britain, murder and sea piracy, convicted in July 2011.

The other six on death row are serving at the Bomana prison outside Port Moresby.
They are:

  • Ambose Lati, 64, Wabag, Enga, murder, convicted in 2009;
  • Sedoki Lota, 35, Milne Bay, murder, convicted in 2007;
  • Mark Poroll, 36, Koroba, Hela, murder;
  • Keith Lasi Aira, wilful murder, convicted in 2013;
  • Ben Simakot Simbu, 33, rape and wilful murder; and,
  • Kepak Langa, wilful murder.

Selam Amos and Misialis Amos, a father and son, were found not guilty in 2017 and released from their sentence.
They had been charged in 2011.

6 comments

  • Dead Penalty should not be endorsed, but should be reviewed as commented by Minister and the NEC. In light with the saying as PNG is a Christian Nation then it should be acted throughout the by Laws of this Nation. As PNG as we serve a God who says “His mercy endured for ever” then I don’t think we will endorsed a dead penalty to the Law breakers. Thou they brake Laws by murdering other souls but after serving their terms in prison and when they converse this is when God hears their prayers and He forgive their sins and remember no more. Therefore, we should see how God sees and not as humans sees.

  • For the Wages of Sin is Death according to the Bible. Those who create serious crime especially murder and rape should not exist on this earth and should perish. Human Rights is there to Protect Everyone but please consider the reality PNG is going through. BLOOD SHED IS EVERYWHERE and KILLING LIKE ANIMALS; HUMAN BEING or ANIMALS ?? Serious Crime, Murder and Rape COMMITTED but they are still alive thus ENCOURAGING others to do the same for others. These are becoming norm to (in) the society now thus everyone is in fear especially the women and girls and even Men and Boys too. Please Death Penalty Should be Imposed to discourage and prevent and protect everyone human being in this country.

    Please, please, Government of the Day, consider this issues to stabilize the Nation with Instant Death Penalty. Don’t give them chance, they are weeds so weed them out or rotten eggs so remove them from the good ones. The Good ones will Develop for Better PNG.

    • Only God has the power to dealt with those who brake the law either to kill or leave.Not human as you said or the government. The death penalty is not Biblical.

      Thank you

  • Maybe, death penalty is another means to frighten those unlawful people. As it will definitely control the minds & put fear in society because religion is only controlling a few minority in PNG.

    Death penalty will definitely make a difference in the country and it is obvious like in other countries such as India, where Death penalty is a law so we should consider this idea.

    Lets put in place death penalty because still a lot of people in the country never listen to simple advice and abide by the laws of this beautiful country, PNG. Lets get on with the penalty, PNG government, what are we waiting for?

    On the other hand, the government should try making goods & services affordable by decreasing tax costs, markup on food, clothing prices should be reduced. Transport fees should be reduced, school fees should be reduced & health services should be affordable, rather than too expensive.

    These are I think some of the contributing factors that adds to the increase in the unlawfulness throughout PNG. I think, when services are cheap, people will be able to afford things that will surely improve living standards & prevent poverty in PNG.

    So why is goods & services too difficult for less than average Papua New Guineans to afford in PNG? Government must invest heavily in Agriculture so that maybe it can help to pay off whatever loans that we borrowed from other countries & financial Institution’s. This could be one good alternative to make goods & services cheap/affordable.

    Lets do this!!

    • The dead penalty will not surely change the mindset of the people, but will give them fear.And that fear is not a real fear to change them but will bring them distruction, which the owner of all which is the devil will cause it to be. They will die now and even for eternity they will die. The real fear is given to people who serve and worship God through the Holy Spirit and that helps them to change from inside out.

      Thank you

  • Introduction will definitely provoke or ignite decease relatives to go for revenge and this will escalate and prolong the killings between tribes.

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