Australian federal police denies claim

The Australian Federal Police has denied claims that it has been overlooking human rights abuse in Papua New Guinea while engaged in the PNG-Australia policing partnership. 

In a statement, officials pointed out that AFP was aware of the allegations raised by the Australian police officer (whistle-blower) who had been serving in Lae and Port Moresby.

The AFP is taking the issues seriously as its members are deployed in foreign missions.

The statement pointed out that the AFP had not received any official report from its deployed members in Papua New Guinea.

The officer had claimed that Papua New Guinea police had been involved in murders.

“The AFP is aware of claims of this nature in social and general media. The AFP is also aware of claims by members of the public and media outlets relating to instances of alleged misconduct by the RPNGC,” the AFP said.

“The operating environment in Papua New Guinea is difficult and the nature of the AFP work is extremely challenging,” it said. “But the AFP considers ongoing positive engagement with police at the frontline and an open dialogue with the RPNGC executive, as the most effective way to encourage and advance progress on human rights and accountability in the PNG police service.

The AFP does not exercise police powers themselves as per agreement under the PNG-Australia policing partnership but undertake advisory roles.”

AFP has denied that it was not true its officers were covering up. PNG Today/The National