The temporary shutdown of Facebook today in PNG has triggered widespread speculation and criticism. Many citizens are interpreting this decision as a political maneuver to suppress freedom of speech. However, such interpretations overlook the constitutional foundations of this action and risk creating unnecessary confusion. It is important to approach this matter by understanding the difference between qualified rights and absolute rights in the PNG Constitution, and how national security considerations can justify certain temporary restrictions. Screenshot of Police Minister's Statement on successful testing of ICT Control systems. In PNG, rights are not absolute across the board. The Constitution explicitly differentiates between absolute rights , which cannot be restricted under any circumstances, and qualified rights , which may be limited under specific conditions such as national security, public order, or public health. A clear example of an absolute right is the right to...
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