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Papua New Guinea: A Nation Plagued by Corruption and Organized Crime
Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea - Since gaining independence in 1975, Papua New Guinea has been plagued by corruption and organized crime. The country’s coalition governments have consistently struggled to address the issue, despite public perception of corruption worsening over the past two decades.
Corruption in Papua New Guinea
Corruption is rampant in the non-renewable resources sector, with very few cases successfully prosecuted. Funding for anti-corruption organizations has fallen to its lowest level in recent times. The business sector is also seen as corrupt, and vote-buying is widespread.
Organized Crime and Law Enforcement
Papua New Guinea’s commitment to international efforts against organized crime is moderate at best. It is not a signatory to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime or the Arms Trade Treaty, and has faltered on its obligations regarding the repatriation of fugitives.
Law enforcement agencies are rife with corruption, with officers involved in drug trafficking, illegal arms trading, and fuel theft. The country’s location between source countries of illicit commodities in Asia and large destination markets like Australia makes it an attractive transit point for organized crime.
Criminal Justice System
The country’s criminal justice system is plagued by poor resources, lengthy detentions, and trial delays. Prison conditions are overcrowded, understaffed, and unhygienic, with many people attempting to escape due to frustration.
Economy and Unemployment
Papua New Guinea’s economy is heavily reliant on agricultural, forestry, fishing, and mining sectors, but chronic youth unemployment remains a significant issue. More than three-quarters of the population is employed in the informal sector, which lacks regulation and enforcement, leading to widespread labor and sexual exploitation.
COVID-19 Pandemic and Growth Prospects
The COVID-19 pandemic has further worsened the job crisis in both formal and informal sectors, with political instability, global uncertainty, and legal disputes over resource projects posing significant challenges to Papua New Guinea’s growth prospects.
Support for Victims of Organized Crime
State support for victims of organized crime is extremely limited, especially for victims of human trafficking. Most services are provided by international and local civil society organizations, which struggle due to a lack of funding and resources.
Media Environment
The media environment in Papua New Guinea is relatively free, with journalists often criticizing the government and covering controversial topics like police brutality and state corruption. However, there have been some cases of targeted abuse towards journalists, and some outlets have been accused of providing overly positive coverage to the government.
Recommendations
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To address these challenges, we recommend:
- Strengthening anti-corruption laws and enforcement mechanisms.
- Increasing funding for anti-corruption organizations.
- Implementing measures to prevent crowdfunding and online gambling from being used as money-laundering channels.
- Improving prison conditions and reducing overcrowding.
- Enhancing law enforcement training and resources to tackle organized crime.
- Increasing state support for victims of organized crime, particularly those affected by human trafficking.
Conclusion
Papua New Guinea’s struggle against corruption and organized crime is a significant challenge that requires urgent attention and action from its government and international partners. The country’s reliance on coalitions and lack of effective legislation and enforcement mechanisms has created an environment conducive to corruption and organized crime.
Papua New Guinea’s future growth and prosperity depend on its ability to address these challenges and create a more stable and corruption-free environment.