Advanced Search

WE HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE that, subject to any restrictions imposed by law on noncitizens, all persons in our country are entitled to the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual, that is to say, the right, whatever their race, tribe, places of origin, political opinion, colour, creed or sex, but subject to respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for the legitimate public interest, to each of the following:-
…
(f) protection for the privacy of their homes and other property and from unjust deprivation of property,
… (Preamble, Basic Rights)

(1) Only citizens other than citizens who have dual citizenship may-
…
(b) acquire freehold land.
… (Sec. 56)

Nothing in Section 37 (protection of the law) or 53 (protection from unjust deprivation of property) invalidates a law that is reasonably justifiable in a democratic society that has a proper regard for human rights and that provides-
(a) for the recognition of the claimed title of Papua New Guinea to land where-
i. there is a genuine dispute as to whether the land was acquired validly or at all from the customary owners before Independence Day; and
ii. if the land were acquired compulsorily the acquisition would comply with Section 53(1) (protection from unjust deprivation of property); or
(b) for the settlement by extra-judicial means of disputes as to the ownership of customary land that appear not to be capable of being reasonably settled in practice by judicial means; or
(c) for the prohibition or regulation of the holding of certain interests in, or in relation to, some or all land by non-citizens. (Sec. 54)