Press Release - (for release 7.30am, 19 April, 2001)
Bougainville Freedom Movement - Australia
Bougainville Leaders call for a Separation of Powers Doctrine
Bougainville Leaders today called for a separation of powers doctrine to be
written into the Papua New Guinea Constitution guaranteeing Bougainville
autonomy similar to the States Rights that apply in Australia.
"The Separation of Powers doctrine is more than just ensuring Judicial and
Legislative independence from Executive action. Under Federalism, it is
about distinct areas of power sharing" said William Beattie, Legal Research
Officer for the Bougainville Freedom Movement.
"Bougainville is open to a form of Federation so long as the PNG National
Executive Council in Port Moresby does not retain the power to suspend or
dissolve its Government. Given the geophysical distance from mainland Papua
New Guinea and its historical links within the Solomons Archipelago, it is
imperative that Bougainvilleans deal with their own problems on a day to
day basis and not be subjected to threats of suspension from the PNG
mainland when differences arise. What Bougainville wants in the interim, is
a Constitutionally guaranteed Federalism similar to Australia. The Federal
Parliament of Australia cannot suspend the States and so neither should the
Parliament of PNG be allowed to suspend autonomous rule on Bougainville"
said Mr Beattie.
"The kind of Constitutional Provision we are looking at would guarantee the
autonomous functioning of Bougainville. If the PNG Government is serious
about lasting peace and devolving real power on Bougainville, then it must
amend its Constitution to provide for this kind of separation of power
doctrine". "The fact is Bougainvilleans have already adopted a local
Constitution. They have elected their own members to their local Parliament
the Bougainville Peoples Congress. What they need now is a constitutional
guarantee of local autonomy so that they can get on with good governance in
the lead up to a future referendum on full independence" said Mr Beattie.
The National Coordinator of the Bougainville Freedom Movement Ms Vikki John
called upon Papua New Guinea leaders to rethink their resistance to an
independent Bougainville. "On the issue of an independence referendum, we
must remind the Government of Papua New Guinea that it is a member of an
International community and subject to the International Covenants on Civil
and Political Rights and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. In terms of
these covenants Globalisation is about social, political and economic
justice, and about real power sharing. It is also about a distinct
indigenous people having the right to voice their desires in the shaping of
their own destiny" said Ms John.
Contact:
William Beattie mobile: +61 (0) 415 123 394 or +61 (0)2 9558 2730
Ms Vikki John +61 (0) 2 9558.2730
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Bougainville Freedom Movement: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
PO Box 134,
Erskineville NSW 2043
Australia.
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