by Tokana Hasavi – EM TV, Port Moresby
The prospect of legalising prostitution in Papua New Guinea has been shunned by a majority of Christians recently.
But yesterday, Secretary for Justice Dr Lawrence Kalinoe urged the nation to be open-minded and tolerable to the prospect.
Kalinoe made these comments at the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) during the 2015 student orientation.
“The legalising of prostitution in the country has received views in all forums online and offline. The choice of whether someone wants to be a prostitute of not is a matter that belongs entirely to that person,” Kalinoe said.
Kalinoe said all Papua New Guineans must respect the values of freedom of religion and thought, which are enshrined in the Constitution.
“This country is declared to be a Christian country in the preamble of the Constitution, but that doesn’t mean the Christian community can impose their views on others (who don’t want to accept them). It actually means that it facilitates and give pre-eminence to Christianity in Papua New Guinea,” explained Kalinoe.
He further explained that we all have the right to practice our Christian faith without repercussions; likewise, if someone has a variant way of religion and life, Christians must not deny them the right to religion and freedom.
“Remember, the right in our Constitution is not the right to Christianity, but the right to freedom of religion and thought, so in terms of substantive rights in PNG, it is religion and Christianity,” said Kalinoe.
Dr Kalinoe said the government is here to build a tolerant and fair society for all ethnicities and humans that inhabit Papua New Guinea.
