Governor John Momis, during a presentation to a high-powered ministerial delegation visiting Bougainville in February 2003, said that one of the major outstanding issues of his government and other leaders involved in the peace process was the, “provision of compensation for some of the grave human rights abuses that occurred during the conflict.”1 In addition, the draft constitution, “provides for the adoption of the human rights and freedoms contained under the PNG constitution and the adoption of the criminal code.”2
Human Rights – 2002
No further developments observed this year.
Human Rights – 2001
No further information is available on whether steps towards implementing the human rights provision in the peace agreement had been taken.
Reintegration – 2010
No further developments observed.
Reintegration – 2009
No further developments observed.
Reintegration – 2008
No further developments observed.
Reintegration – 2007
No further developments observed.
Reintegration – 2006
No further developments observed.
Reintegration – 2005
No further developments observed.
Reintegration – 2004
Estimates suggest that approximately 5,000 combatants fought the war. However, 15,000 registered as ex-combatants with AusAid’s BETA fund to reintegrate ex-combatants through business and training opportunities. The program funded 2,734 applicants.3 No precise information is available on how the reintegration process moved forward.
According to Braithwaite et al. (2009), most of the new recruitments for full-time jobs in the police, and as part-time auxiliary police, went to ex-combatants. Large numbers of ex-combatants also got jobs on the AusAid road and bridge rebuilding and repair projects. Only a few of the more senior and more educated combatants got jobs in the Bougainville administration, though many won seats in the House of Representatives beyond those designated for combatants.