Papua New Guinea is stepping up to fight domestic terrorists who are involved in kidnappings, killings, rapes, and other acts to terrorise communities.
This from the Internal Security Minister Peter Tsiamalili Jnr and Commissioner of Police David Manning, who are both working across law enforcement agencies and the Office of the Attorney General to draft the planned amendments to the Criminal Code Act.
Commissioner Manning indicated that international organized crime networks are behind domestic terrorists.
“These intended amendments will give police greater capacity to take down domestic terrorist activities through increased powers to search, investigate, intercept, and prosecute people involved in these activities.
“Many of our laws do not take sufficient account of the way criminals, including domestic terrorists, use the internet and phone systems in carrying out violent crimes, and this is a key area for reform.”
Manning said the amendments will further improve law and order cooperation and collaboration with international partners through training, equipment, technical advice and the use of new technologies and resources.
He elaborated that the new will be tough, but this will ensure the all about protecting our law-abiding citizens and their right to freedom.
“While amendments have been made in recent years to the Criminal Code Act 1974, now is the time for us to take the next major step forward to confront this menace of domestic terrorism.
Manning added that the legislative amendments will serve to define and criminalize acts of domestic terrorism, introduce penalty provisions for acts of domestic terrorism, and to provide explicit powers for the investigation of and response to acts of domestic terrorism.
“These reforms may impose limitations on the individual rights of some, but they will be reasonable, proportionate and in the interest of public safety.”
He further said this is intended to protect people from the increasing menace of kidnap for ransom, sexual offences and the proliferation of firearms use by criminal groups.