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Papua New Guinea’s Worrying Trend of Bodily Injury, Kidnapping, and Crime

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea - A disturbing trend has emerged in Papua New Guinea (PNG) over the past four years, with a significant increase in cases of bodily injury, kidnapping, illegal restraint, hostage taking, robbery, theft, and other serious crimes.

Rising Crime Rates

According to official statistics, the number of reported cases of bodily injury rose from 95 in 2013 to 120 in 2016, representing a staggering 26% annual increase. Kidnapping and illegal restraint cases also soared during this period, with 96 reported incidents in 2016 alone.

Widespread Theft and Robbery

Robbery and theft were also rampant, with the value of stolen goods and cash reaching an alarming K300 million (approximately USD $90 million) in 2016. The majority of these crimes went unsolved, perpetuating a culture of impunity.

Government Inaction Criticized

The PNG government has been criticized for its inability to effectively combat crime, citing inadequate resources, poor infrastructure, and corruption within law enforcement agencies.

Vulnerabilities

A closer examination of the vulnerabilities that contribute to this trend reveals several key areas:

  • Capacity and Resource Limitations: The PNG Government’s capacity to investigate and prosecute crimes is severely limited due to a lack of funding, equipment, and trained personnel.
  • FASU, RPNGC, and Customs Service: These agencies are critical in the fight against crime, but they struggle with inadequate resources, corruption, and poor management.
  • Porous Borders: PNG’s porous borders make it easy for criminals to smuggle goods and people into the country, perpetuating illegal activities.
  • Trade-Based Crime: The lack of effective regulations and enforcement mechanisms allows for trade-based crime to flourish, including money laundering and terrorism financing.

Terrorism Financing

The threat of terrorism financing in PNG is also a growing concern. While there have been no reported cases of terrorist attacks on PNG soil, the country’s porous borders and lack of effective regulation make it vulnerable to being used as a hub for terrorist activity.

Mitigation and Priorities

To address these concerns, the PNG Government must prioritize strengthening its law enforcement agencies, improving border control, and implementing effective regulations to combat money laundering and terrorism financing. The government must also demonstrate political will and commitment to tackling corruption within its ranks.

In the next installment of this series, we will examine the specific measures that can be taken to mitigate these threats and ensure a safer future for Papua New Guinea.