PNG UoT first to petition OC through proper democratic process

The PNG University of Technology [UoT] Students' Representative Senate has successfully petitioned the office of the Ombudsman Commission [OC] on Thursday, the 17th of April 2025, which makes them the first tertiary institution in the country to follow proper democratic process to exercise their rights.

Speaking on behalf of all the students, the Unitech SRS President, Brent Karol clarified that this petition comes about after issues of concern were raised in a Students Open Forum on the 26th of March this year, following the government temporarily banning Facebook on the 24th of March.

He went on to state, that the students’ petition has nothing to do with the recent political activities.

“Our approach is the first of its kind. We would like to petition a responsible body that is Independent, not affected by any form of political external influence and that is why the students have chosen to petition the Ombudsman Commission, that’s well recognized by the PNG Constitution to carry out its duty.

“Our complaint comes as far as today [Thursday 17th April] and we will continue with our lives knowing that we’ve reported to the right body that’s responsible in addressing this issue. As students we can only do as much as voicing our concerns, but through the right platform which we have chosen the Ombudsman Commission, knowing it has the power with no influence, without fear and without favor to serve the people of Papua New Guinea,” Karol said.

Exercising his democratic rights on behalf of all the students as guided by the PNG University of Technology’s Student Representative Senate Constitution, the student leader presented the petition and proceeded to summon the Ombudsman Commission, to respond with a progressive report within a period of 15 working days.

“We understand the processes behind the amendment of laws and the processes behind investigations, and as part of the petition’s ultimatum we await a response in three weeks’ time, that’s 15 working days,” the SRS President said.

Receiving the petition, the Chief Ombudsman Richard Pagen remarked, that he is sure some of the concerns raised in the students’ petition is already being investigated by the Ombudsman, and assured that his office will communicate with the students in due course.

He went on to state that he is aware that the main issue is the temporary ban on Facebook on the 24th of March.

“The main issue that has been brought about is what unfolded on the 24th of March where there was a glitch on Facebook, that brought outcries from all the other sectors and giving rise to this petition, and there are two others within the petition that the President has not alluded to yet but we’ll know about them,” Chief Ombudsman said.

Responding to the Chief Ombudsman’s comment, the SRS President confirmed that there are three issues of concern captured in the petition, but requested that as per agreed by the student body, the specific details be kept confidential between the SRS and the Ombudsman Commission for now.

“Item number one has been discussed already, item number two is in regards to the recent amendments of section 145 of the PNG Constitution, and the third being on the transparency and accountability of the existing NEC government.

We have listed and itemized certain items which will be disclosed for now, but we trust that the investigation of the Ombudsman Commission will serve the interest of the people of Papua New Guinea,” the student leader said.

This petition was supposed to be presented last week Friday, the 11th of April but has to be postponed to Thursday, the 17th of April this week, because the University’s 57th Graduation was also scheduled for last week Friday.