BRIEF: Students Strike to Hold Papua New Guinea More Accountable for Corruption

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea — On Friday, more than 2,000 students in Papua New Guinea’s University of Technology in Lae staged a protest, accusing the government of corruption.

The protest was reportedly part of a movement to inspire other college campuses to hold the government responsible for what students believe is an inability to keep inflation low. Rising prices have created a situation where people can barely afford necessities with the money they make.

The protests come on the heals of PNG Treasurer, Patrick Pruaitch’s statement that inflation had risen to a startling ten point 7 per cent.

Jackson Kiakari, the Student Representative Council president, who also leads the National Union of Students, has called for other colleges to push more accountability within the PNG government.

For more information, please see:
Radio New Zealand International — Students strike in Papua New Guinea over inflation and corruption — 05 September 2008

Author: Impunity Watch Archive