PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) — The Amnesty and Pardon Bill for ex-combatants who fought in the Bougainville war is expected to be presented to the Papua New Guinea Cabinet within the next few weeks.
Bougainville Peace Coordinator Peter Sohia says the Cabinet will decide on the amnesty bill within the first weeks of June, just before PNG’s general elections.
He said there has been opposition from community and women’s groups about the bill as it pardons offenses against civilians.
Sohia said ex-combatants could still be prosecuted for civil crimes, as the Lincoln Agreement, which started the Bougainville Peace process, outlines what the amnesty covers.
“What really is covered by the amnesty that we’re talking about is war related offenses say if I was a rebel and I fought with the Papua New Guinea defense force and I killed one or two soldiers then I’m covered by this amnesty,” Sohia told Radio New Zealand International.
He said the bill will speed up the weapons disposal program as ex-combatants have been slow in surrendering arms because of fears of legal prosecution.
Last year, the PNG parliament approved the Bougainville Peace Agreement which grants Bougainville autonomy and an eventual referendum of independence but that will not be held until the United Nations is happy with the number of firearms collected.
