Papua New Guinea's High Commission in Solomon Islands has defended his recent rejection of a claim by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights that his country has a constitutional crisis.
Citing the newly-passed Judicial Conduct Act, the UN's Navi Pillay urged the PNG government to refrain from enacting laws which undermine the rule of law and interfere with the judiciary's independence.
Commenting in last Friday's Solomon Star newspaper, Brian Yombon-Copio said PNG's perceived political issues were manageable and advised the UN representative to concentrate on human rights.
After his comments sparked outcry on online forums in PNG, Mr Yombon-Copio says he was merely trying to give an accurate view:
"I did not try to make any defence of the current government or anyone in particular for the issues. You know, every diplomat has a duty to defend their country."
Brian Yombon-Copio.
