Workshop looks at ill-treatment and cruelty

A WORKSHOP on a Special Rapporteur – ill-treatment, torture, cruelty, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment in Papua New Guinea – is being held in Port Moresby this week.
The Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council and the office of High Commission on Human Rights are jointly facilitating the two-day consultation workshop.
Manfred Nowak visited the country between May 14 and May 25, 2010, on a Special Rapparteur at the invitation of the government.
Human rights adviser Christina Saunders said the purpose of Rapporteur was to assess the situation of torture and ill-treatment in the country, including conditions during detention, and to initiate a process of cooperation with
the government aimed
at eradicating torture
and ill-treatment.
Saunders said the Rapporteur had full cooperation from authorities such as the Correctional Services and the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary.
The purpose of the workshop was to discuss with the authorities the findings and recommendations of the report and explore options of how best the recommendations could be appropriately and effectively implemented.
The outcome of the workshop would culminate in a National Executive Council (NEC) submission for presentation to the government for formal recognition and acceptance, including consideration for strong and committed support for key implementing agencies such as the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary or police and Correctional Services.
Preparation of the NEC submission would be done today.