Papua New Guinea Government Ignores Constitutional Mandate, TIPNG Report Finds

Transparency International Papua New Guinea (TIPNG) is urging the government to clarify its stance on supporting civil society work, following the release of a critical report. The EU System for an Enabling Environment (SEE) 2025 PNG Country Focus Report indicates that Papua New Guinea's civic space is facing mounting pressure, marked by a concerning lack of transparency and meaningful citizen involvement in decision-making processes.

The findings reveal a significant disconnect between policy discussions and the genuine exchange of views that is constitutionally mandated. Specifically, Section 255 of the National Constitution requires such engagement, yet the report suggests this is not being adequately met. This situation raises alarms about the health of democratic participation in the country.

TIPNG's call for a clear government position underscores the importance of civil society's role in governance. The report's findings suggest that the government's responsiveness to civil society concerns and input has alarmingly declined, potentially undermining the principles of open governance and citizen participation enshrined in the nation's constitution.