The Chairman of Special Parliamentary Committee on Public Sector Reform and Service Delivery Gary Juffa, has joined the chorus of public outcry on a recent video publicizing disturbing violence of what appears to be excessive and disproportionate force displayed in the bashing of a mother and child accused of minor shop lifting in Madang on 10th of May this year. Chairman Juffa commends the social media users for bringing this matter to light. “As soon as I saw the post I immediately forwarded the footage to the Minister of Police and the Minister for Community Development who both responded very swiftly by assuring me of commencement of investigations.” “I congratulate the social media users and the Ministers’ swift actions which was able to lead to the quick detention of the suspects involved with the beatings.” “This is a great example where all stakeholders working responsibly together can achieve tremendous outcomes.” The Chairman poses a few questions which he hopes will be covered by those investigating the matter: • What legal mandate did those who mercilessly detained and beat them have? • Who is ultimately responsible for ensuring a baseline standard of care and dignity for our vulnerable, especially our mothers and children- even when they appear to be in the wrong? • In this case, why were the 2 accused not apprehended and taken to appropriate law enforcement authorities? • Was the force they used proportionate to the allegations of petty shop lifting? • Where is the Constitutional right of presumption of innocence (even when crime is eye witnessed) until proven guilty or do we dispense with the Constitution when we feel like it? • If the perpetrators are registered or unregistered security guards, should they fall under the watch of the National Security Authority? “One cannot blame persons viewing the video clip asking for proportionate considerations for such a terrible beating for a theft of minor commercial value in shop lifting by this mother and daughter be applied also to the shop operators, especially foreigners, should they be caught for any revenue and anti-social crimes.” The Chairman also called for recognition of the real reason vulnerable person of our society, such as this mother and child, are going to such risky lengths for food and basic needs. “It may be high time to actually address the baseline of our society where they may not be able to afford the most basic essentials anymore!” “What this condition usually gives birth to is involuntary anarchy”, he added.