A state of emergency remained in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The authorities continued to restrict the right to freedom of expression and intimidate journalists. Dozens of people were killed in inter-communal violence. Women continued to experience high rates of gender-based violence.

This oral statement by Amnesty International to the 52st session of the UN Human Rights Council offers the organization’s perspectives ahead of the start of the UPR’s 4th cycle on the value of the mechanism for achieving progress; the importance of civil society engagement, the need to strengthen...

This public statement is summary of some key issues raised by civil society in their UPR submissions, as well as responses provided by the PNG government. In particular, the increase in civil society participation since the last review in 2016 is noted as a key success in effective recommendations...

This oral statement was delivered to the United Nations Human Rights Council on 23 March 2022 to highlight key human rights developments and concerns in Papua New Guinea from our submissions.

This submission was prepared for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Papua New Guinea (PNG) in November 2021. Key ongoing concerns including gender based violence, intercommunal violence, climate crisis and human rights, refugee rights and the right to health.

Health and essential workers have played an extraordinary role in the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Across countries, they have put their health and wellbeing at risk, often in very difficult circumstances and with very little support, to ensure that people are able to access the...

Human rights must be at the centre of all prevention, preparedness, containment and treatment efforts in response to the virus. However, many of the measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the Pacific appear to have been proposed and implemented without full consideration of potential...

Over 600 men remain indefinitely trapped on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea, as a result of Australia’s system of ‘offshore processing’ for refugees. Many of these men have been stuck on the island for years in deteriorating conditions. This joint briefing with the Refugee Council of Australia...

Amnesty International writes to urge that Australia’s cruel treatment of refugees in the Pacific countries of Papua New Guinea and Nauru is considered at the top of the agenda at the 49th Pacific Islands Forum Meeting.

This paper provides an update on the health situation for refugees and asylum seekers sent to Papua New Guinea (PNG) by the Australian government. Over the past few months, the Australian government has substantially reduced health care provided to refugees and asylum seekers it sent to Papua New...

For the past four and a half years, more than 800 refugees and people seeking asylum have been immured in Australian-run detention centres on Manus Island, Papua New Guinea (PNG). The PNG government has repeatedly failed to implement measures to integrate refugees, ensure they are self-sufficient,...

At around 6:30pm on 14 April 2017, tensions escalated between refugees and soldiers. Shots were fired by Papua New Guinea Defence Force soldiers into the Manus refugee centre, placing refugees, staff and government officials at serious risk. This latest incident highlights that the safety for...

Ratification of core human rights treaties, and passing national legislation to give meaning to these obligations, is essential for the enjoyment of human rights in Papua New Guinea. However, their implementation by the government of Papua New Guinea, in policy and practice, remains a significant...