21 Jun 2005

PNG judge advocates canings and lashings

1:17 pm on 21 June 2005

A Papua New Guinea National Court judge says current punisments for crimes like robbery and rape are not deterring offenders and the time has come to look at alternatives like canings and lashings.

Justice Gibbs Salika says beatings and similar punishments have cultural connotations and biblical support and should be administered by the victims of robbers or rapists.

Justice Salkia says everything else has been tried and the law is running out of ideas as to appropriate sentences.

He says he is sure caning will work