A/HRC/16/52/Add.5
severely beaten by the authorities, and the poor sanitary conditions facilitated the spread of
contagious diseases.
With regard to juveniles, the Police Juvenile Policy and Protocol, an excellent tool
in dealing with juveniles in conflict with the law, is for the most part not being applied and
juveniles were held with adults in all police stations visited by the Special Rapporteur.
Women in Papua New Guinea have a very low social status, which places them at
very high risk of abuse in the domestic and public spheres. Gender-based violence is
prevalent throughout the country, with widespread domestic violence and no effective State
mechanism to address it. In detention, women are extremely vulnerable to sexual abuse
from police officers or other detainees.
Owing to insufficient human and financial resources, a high level of corruption and
a lack of professionalism, the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary is unable to provide
security and prevent and investigate crime throughout the country, particularly in rural
areas. As a result, private security companies have taken over much of the ordinary police
work.
In the light of the above, the Special Rapporteur recommends that the Government
issue an unambiguous declaration by the highest authorities that it will not tolerate torture
or similar ill-treatment by public officials. He also urges the Government to ratify the
Convention against Torture and the Optional Protocol thereto. Other recommended steps
include amending domestic legislation to include the crime of torture with adequate
penalties; ensuring prompt and thorough ex officio investigations for all allegations and
suspicions of ill-treatment or excessive use of force; reducing the time limits for police
custody to 48 hours; establishing accessible and effective complaint mechanisms; and
ensuring a comprehensive and structural reform of the Royal Papua New Guinea
Constabulary. He also recommends the establishment of a country presence of the Office of
the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
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