MINISTER for Justice and Attorney General, Hon. Pila Niningi (pictured), has commended the Land Commission of Papua New Guinea for its ongoing research on colonial land acquisitions at the Bundesarchiv or Federal Archives in Berlin.
“This research is a crucial step in addressing the historical injustices related to land ownership and will guide future policies to protect the rights of our citizens,” Niningi said.
He said the Land Commission team, led by Chief Commissioner Mr. Molean Kilepak has made remarkable progress, analyzing over 25,000 slides from various microfilm files related to German New Guinea.
“Their work involves critical examination of Imperial Court Proceedings and administrative correspondence, providing invaluable insights into our colonial history,” Minister Niningi said.
He said: “This initiative is an important step toward reconciling our colonial past. By thoroughly examining the historical records, we can better advocate for the rights of our citizens and inform our policies to support rightful land ownership.”
The Minister highlighted the significance of upcoming diplomatic meetings the Land Commission team will have in Berlin, including a scheduled discussion with Hon. Katya Keul, Minister of State Assisting the Federal Foreign Office of Germany.
“These meetings will provide a platform to strengthen bilateral relations and explore potential support for the Land Commission’s work,” Niningi said.
The Minister further highlighted the potential for expanding research opportunities at additional archives, such as the Geheimes Staatsarchiv, the Political Archive of the Foreign Ministry and the Church Archives which will enrich PNG’s understanding of this complex history.
“Our goal is to compile comprehensive data that can inform our legislative reforms and empower our communities,” he added.
The Minister expressed his gratitude to the Marape-Rosso Government, the German Federal Foreign Office and other diplomatic partners who have supported the Land Commission on its mission to retrieve Papua New Guinea’s colonial land acquisition records from Germany.
He further expressed his gratitude to the Land Commission team for their dedication and professionalism in this critical undertaking.
Niningi reassured the public that updates will be provided as the research progresses, reinforcing the government’s commitment to addressing historical land issues.
