Polye condemns massacre of inmates in Buimo Prison breakout

Inmates at Buimo prison 

PORT MORESBY: Opposition Leader Don Pomb Polye is condemning the massacre of prisoners while escaping Buimo prison camp in Morobe province.

Commenting on 12 prisoners being killed, Mr Polye said deprivation of life did not help to address the causes of the breakout on February 25. 

“Such a killing is rare in any democracy as far as human rights or their right to life is concerned.

“I call the killing as another Escape-from-Sorbibo drama in PNG,” an angry Polye said.

He asked whether such a killing held any solution for the breakout or it was only a work of frustrated correctional officers.

“I am calling for those involved in the shooting to face the full force of the law.

“Was it ethical for the disciplined officers to take away the lives?” he queried.

The Opposition Leader has slammed the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill for being slack as most of these prison camps have experienced their share of breakout in a short span of time.

The conditions of most camps around the country, he said, are ‘life-threatening.’

“According to reports I receive, most of these prison facilities lack medical care, are overcrowding and have unhygienic conditions.

“With these kinds of facilities, most of their rights are being deprived,” Mr Polye said.

He said there was no guarantee that they would undergo proper rehabilitation while serving their terms.

“When we are in government, we will ensure the current conditions are improved and human rights are observed by the officers,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said his eyebrows were raised when he learnt of some remandees, who were denied their rights to the courts as they were serving longer terms without their cases being heard.