Papua New Guinea Minister Admits Rights Group Charges of Police Brutality

Papua New Guinea's (PNG) police minister acknowledged a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report claiming that police abuse -- against children, sex workers, gays and those who carry condoms - may fuel the nation's growing AIDS epidemic. The report details young girls being gang raped by policemen in jail cells, and boys being shot, knifed or beaten by policemen.

"It's something we're not proud of," said Bire Kimiposa. "It's something we need to eradicate within the PNG police force now."

"These acts may spread disease, deter people from carrying condoms, and drive marginalized populations underground and away from potentially lifesaving information on HIV prevention and health services," said the 124-page HRW report, "Making Their Own Rules: Police Beatings, Rape, and Torture of Children in Papua New Guinea," which called "extreme physical violence" by police routine. "Instead of protecting the public and children from violence, it is the police who are committing some of the most heinous acts of violence imaginable," stated the report, especially against children perceived as gang members, street vendors, child sex workers and gay boys.

Up to 80,000 people have HIV in PNG -- including 3-4 percent of adults in the capital, Port Moresby, experts estimate. The report recommends that Australia, PNG's former colonial ruler and it largest aid donor, do more to stop the human rights abuses.

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