You still have your rights, says Teine

THE constitutional rights of individuals in PNG have not been overridden by the amendments of constitutional laws on the floor of parliament, chairman of Constitutional Law Reform Commission (CLRC) Joe Mek Teine said.
Teine was speaking to protesting members of a non-governmental organisation in Kundiawa, Chimbu, last Friday.
The group petitioned the government to repeal the passing of the amendments to the Environment Act.
It also asked for the government to refrain from passing amendments to the Ombudsman Commission Act.
“You still have your constitutional rights which have not been overridden by the changes in these acts, which means you still have the rights to your land and environment and you must appreciate these facts,” Teine said.
He also said the controversial Maladina Bill to amend sections of the Ombudsman Commission Act was shelved because of strong opposition from NGOs, civil society organisations and the public.
Teine accepted the petition from NGO leader John Kerenga Gugl in front of almost 5,000 people.
He vowed to present the petition to Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare to deliberate further.
“I will deliver your petition and bring back a favorable feed back later on,” he said.
 Meanwhile Gugl said: “We are calling on Prime Minister Sir Michael to immediately recall parliament to address these issues and also sit for the 63 days required for parliament in a year.”
He also highlighted other issues of public concern such as the Moti affair.