Mass pressure forces deferral of PNG land plan

Mass pressure forces deferral of PNG land planBy Norm Dixon

Several weeks of large demonstrations in PNG against World Bank/International Monetary Fund-backed proposals to undermine the country's traditional system of collective land ownership have forced a partial retreat by the government.

The current system of land ownership indigenous communities own 97% of the land is seen by the WB/IMF and western governments as restricting the activities of big business. Enormous pressure is being exerted on the PNG government by the international finance institutions and the Australian government to take land out of customary jurisdiction.

The PNG government has proposed that all customary land be registered in the name of its owners and clear boundaries demarcated.

The proposals have been met with outrage throughout PNG. Demonstrations of up to 10,000 people have been held in provincial capitals. On July 18, 4000 people, led by striking university students, marched on parliament house in Port Moresby. University students have played a leading role in the campaign.

On August 4, PNG deputy prime minister Chris Haiveta announced that after consultations with the World Bank, the reforms would be deferred until next year to allow further consultation so as to correct misunderstandings on the issue.

The announcement seems to leave the position of the lawyer contracted to draft the controversial land registration law, the hapless Loani Henao, in limbo. Wherever Henao has travelled in PNG to consult local leaders about the plan, he has been dogged by large, angry demonstrations. Asked what Henao's position now was, Haiveta said he had no idea.

From GLW issue 200