By Theresa Kanari
PORT MORESBY — Police who raided non-governmental organisations on May 5, 6 and 12 targeted a Pacific-wide communications network and sensitive electronic mail files, say activists.
The files dealt with issues such as the West Papuan refugees and current PNG and Pacific campaigns. The NGOs that were raided — the Individual and Community Rights Advocacy Forum, PNG Trust, PNG Watch and Melanesian Solidarity (Melsol) — are linked to the Pactok electronic communications network that has 11 NGOs and educational institution members in PNG.
Many regional organisations such as the South Pacific Commission and South Pacific Regional Environment Program are also linked. PNG Trust's advocacy officer Richard Brunton said police had attempted to gain "illegal access" to two of the seized computers which were handed back under a court order.
"They tried to get access to electronic mail files but didn't have the passwords to get in because the files are encrypted", said Brunton, who is also a spokesperson for Pactok PNG.
He said PNG Trust had nothing to do with the unrest over the Sandline mercenary affair and the raids and arrests were an "act of provocation".
Meanwhile, the Solomon Islands Indigenous Movement has joined groups condemning the NGO raids. Director Lawrence Makili told Uni Tavur that SIISM was "shocked and petrified" by the police action. The action was a "clear violation" of the United Nations Charter for Human Rights. "NGOs in Papua New Guinea should not be treated as criminals", said Makili.
"They have been well known in the region for the good work that they have done in past years. The PNG government must stop the violent attitude", he said.
PNG Trust's major concern now is that this was "only the beginning of the police and state intimidation of non-government organisations and anyone else who could ruin the return of the government to power".
On May 21, the Waigani Committal Court in Port Moresby adjourned the hearing of charges of unlawful assembly against four NGO activists detained in the raids until June 21.
[Reprinted from Uni Tavur, the campus-based community newspaper produced by students of the University of PNG.]