No information available on court reform initiatives.

On January 23, 2002, the PNG Parliament unanimously passed the constitutional amendments related to Bougainville. Both sides of the House were united to ensure that the proposed legislation, giving more autonomy to the Bougainville Government, remained on track for the final reading in March. The amendment also allowed for a referendum on independence to be held within 10 to 15 years.¹ Bougainville effectively had powers over its own police, courts, public service, and taxation as of January 2002.²

On March 27, 2002, the PNG Parliament voted unanimously in favor of a proposed constitutional amendment and organic law on peacebuilding in Bougainville.³ This cleared the way for the constitution writing process of Autonomous Bougainville, which would deal with the court system of Autonomous Bougainville.

The Judicial reform provision in the peace agreement gave the proposed Autonomous Bougainville Government extensive powers, including establishing its own court system. The implementation of this provision, however, cannot be ascertained without the implementation of the autonomy provision in the agreement.

No further developments observed.

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The “PNG government issued official invitations for [an] international delegation to observe the first general election for the autonomous government for Bougainville. [The] Cabinet made this decision after a joint submission by the minister for foreign affairs and immigration, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, and Minister for Inter-Government Relations Sir Peter Barter, following discussions with Bougainville leaders in the interim joint supervisory body in March.”⁴

No activities reported.