The Papua New Guinea Centre for Judicial Excellence (PNGCJE) has conducted an awareness program on “Constitutional Rights and Freedoms” and “Access to Justice” at the Koki community in Port Moresby on 22 July 2021.

The purpose of the awareness was to help the ordinary people in the community have an understanding of their constitutional rights and freedoms, and how to access justice through the Courts if their rights are violated or breached.

PNGCJE Executive Director Dr. John Carey, Deputy Executive Director Mr. Sam Kaipu and Program Officer Ms. Stacey Levakia-Wali were the speakers during the awareness, explaining the different types of rights that people have and the process to go about seeking justice if and when their rights are infringed.

Over 200 people attended the program. The large audience did not hinder an interactive session as questions were continuously raised and discussions were held on several different topics, mainly family, marriage and land issues.

Dr. Carey said the PNGCJE’s mandate was to design and deliver judicial education training programs for the judges, magistrates, court staff and members of the law and justice sector agencies. However, the public has a greater need in knowing and understanding their basic rights and how to properly access justice through the various systems and processes that are already in place. That is why the PNGCJE took the initiative to seek support from the Pacific Judicial Strengthening Initiative (PJSI) to run the awareness programs.

The awareness was part of a program funded by PJSI which will see awareness programs carried out within six weeks with one awareness each week in six different communities within the National Capital District and the Central Province.