In its 2009 annual report, the human rights group was scathing about rampant violent crime in Papua New Guinea, including attacks on and murders of suspected sorcerers, particularly in the Eastern Highlands, and the use of excessive force by police.
And it said those responsible were not brought to justice.
Rapes reported to PNG police between January and October numbered 654, up from 526 reported the previous year, with few cases prosecuted amid fears of retribution.
Amnesty also said maternal mortality and HIV infection rates were high in PNG because of poor health services, despite the allocation of $78 million for the health department.
The group’s deputy director for the Asia Pacific, Donna Guest, told Radio Australia the police must investigate and bring to justice those responsible for all forms of violence.
She said as the major aid donor to PNG, Australia has a particular responsibility on the issue.
“I would say that the Australian government as I’m sure they do needs to be particularly vigilant as to the economic situation, where the aid is going there, but also with regard to policing in PNG which is highly problematic,” she said.
“[The police are] not being effective, they’re not at this stage preventing this high level of violence which is particularly targeted against women.”
The Amnesty report also documented the growing slums around the Solomons’ capital, Honiara.
The report said the government’s has failed to provide low cost housing over ten years of increasing rural-urban migration, creating mounting health concerns.
Amnesty said Solomon Islands also has one of the world’s highest rates of violence against women by their partners, while the government had not produced a promised plan to address gender-based violence.
