Buin Declaration

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Country/entity: Papua New Guinea
Bougainville
Region: Asia and Pacific
Agreement name: Buin Declaration
Date: 22 Aug 1998
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Bougainville Conflict (1987 - 1998)
The conflict on Bougainville, an island under the jurisdiction of Papua New Guinea (PNG), began in 1987 as a dispute over compensation for the use of land by Bougainville Copper Ltd, a an Australian subsidiary. The underlying issue of independence soon emerged and the conflict escalated between the government of PNG and the native islanders, in turn spearheaded by the Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA). Until fighting ended in 1998, an estimated 20,000 died in the conflict. Several pre-negotiation agreements culminated in an agreement to a ‘permanent and irrevocable’ ceasefire, and a framework for normalizing the PNG-Bourgainville relationship, which included elections.
Stage: Pre-negotiation/process
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Bougainville: peace process
Parties: Signed by:
Representing the chiefs of Central Bougainville, Peter Mekea, Peter Kalasoi, Sameul Kopa, Amos toroama, bibi Narunsi, Ikea Kakito, Robert Abara;
Representing the chiefs of South Bougainville, Hera Potunga, Paul Kaile, Daniel Tsibim, Linus Konukung, james Mita, John Monko;
Representing the chiefs of North Bougainville, Joel banam, Carolus Ketsimur, John Tabinaman, Amos Toromuir, Dennis Sareke, Avo Sini, Joe Toarats, Osborne Tomi;
Representing the women of Bougainville, Thersa Jaintong, Josephine Kauona;
Third parties: Witnessed by:
Honourable Reverend Leslie Beseto, CMG MO, Minister for Home Affairs & Chairman of Solomon Islands, Bougainville Peace committee, Government of Solomon Islands;
Description: Pan Bougainvillean Leaders Congress reaffirming Burnham Declaration, Lincoln Agreement, the Arawa Implementation of Ceasefire Agreement.

Agreement document: PG_980822_Buin Declaration.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: Page 2, Signed by,
...Representing the women of Bougainville, Thersa Jaintong, Josephine Kauona;
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: Page 1, 1. Political Issue
The Congress believes that the people of Bougainville are united in their common aspiration for an independent homeland.
To this end, the congress calls upon the Government of Papua New Guinea to give the people of Bougainville, as a matter of principle, the chance to exercise their individual and collective rights to self-determination.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): Governance→Political institutions (new or reformed)→Temporary new institutions
Page 1, 2. Bougainville Reconciliation Movement
Consistent with the Lincoln Agreement, the Congress reaffirms the need to immediately establish the Bougainville Reconciliation Government by the end of 1998 - be it elected, appointed or nominated or both.
It calls for the establishment of this Government under a new Interim Constitution.
The Congress, therefore, endorses the appointment of a Working Committee to prepare the structure for presentation to the PPCC.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: Governance→Constitution→Constitutional reform/making
Page 1, 2. Bougainville Reconciliation Movement
Consistent with the Lincoln Agreement, the Congress reaffirms the need to immediately establish the Bougainville Reconciliation Government by the end of 1998 - be it elected, appointed or nominated or both.
It calls for the establishment of this Government under a new Interim Constitution.
The Congress, therefore, endorses the appointment of a Working Committee to prepare the structure for presentation to the PPCC.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Socio-economic development
Page 1, Other Issues
The Congress also noted concerns over the issues of development, immigration and disposal of arms. It, therefore, mandates the Working Committee to present these issues as a matter of priority at the next PPCC Meeting.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
Page 1, Untitled Preamble,
Reaffirming the Burnham Declaration, the Lincoln Agreement and the Arawa Implementation of Cease-Fire Agreement.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: Security sector→DDR→Demilitarisation provisions
Page 1, Other Issues
The Congress also noted concerns over the issues of development, immigration and disposal of arms. It, therefore, mandates the Working Committee to present these issues as a matter of priority at the next PPCC Meeting.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: Page 1, 2. Bougainville Reconciliation Movement
Consistent with the Lincoln Agreement, the Congress reaffirms the need to immediately establish the Bougainville Reconciliation Government by the end of 1998 - be it elected, appointed or nominated or both.
It calls for the establishment of this Government under a new Interim Constitution
The Congress, therefore, endorses the appointment of a Working Committee to prepare the structure for presentation to the PPCC.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: Page 1,
Reaffirming the Burnham Declaration, the Lincoln Agreement and the Arawa Implementation of Cease-Fire Agreement
Source: Originally accessed from Conciliation Resources Accord (http://www.c-r.org/accord/papua-new-guinea%E2%80%93bougainville – no longer available from original source).

Buin Declaration

22 August 1998

Of the PAn Bougainville Leaders Congress 20-22 August 1998

The Pan Bougainville Leaders Congress (the 'Congress') representing the people of Bougainville, having met in Buin, South Bougainville from 20-22 August 1998.

Reaffirming the Burnham Declaration, the Lincoln Agreement and the Arawa Implementation of Cease-Fire Agreement.

Concerning that the peace process has slowed down due to misunderstanding between the parties, but appreciating the positive decision made by the Government of Papua New Guinea, made on 19 August, for the total rescinding of all call-out orders.

Aware of the need for a process which takes into account the right of the people to self-determination.

Hereby Declares as follows:

1. Political Issue

The congress believes that the people of Bougainville are united in their common aspiration for an independent homeland.

To this end, the Congress calls upon the Government of Papua New Guniea to give the people of Bougainville, as a matter of principle, the change to exercise to exercise their individual and collective rights to self-determination.

The Congress acknowledges, however, that a people resolution is only possible through people negotiations with the Government of Papua New Guinea.

It will continue to support only peaceful means, and calls on all communities on Bougainville to respect this principle.

The Congress, therefore, calls on its leaders to present Bougainville's case for self determination at the next round of the all-parties negotiations.

2. Bougainville Reconciliation Movement.

Consistent with the Lincoln Agreement, the Congress reaffirms the need to immediately establish the Bougainville Reconciliation Government by the end of 1998 - be it elected, appointed or nominated, or both.

It calls for the establishment of this Government under a new Interim Constitution.

The Congress, therefore, endorses the appointment of a Working Committee to prepare the structure for presentation to the PPCC.

Other Issues

The Congress also noted concerns over the issues of development, immigration and disposal of aims.

It, therefore, mandates the Working Committee to present these issues as a matter of priority at the next PPCC Meeting.

Declared at Buin, this 22 August 1998

Signed by:

Representing the chiefs of Central Bougainville, Peter Mekea, Peter Kalasoi, Sameul Kopa, Amos toroama, bibi Narunsi, Ikea Kakito, Robert Abara;

Representing the chiefs of South Bougainville, Hera Potunga, Paul Kaile, Daniel Tsibim, Linus Konukung, james Mita, John Monko;

Representing the chiefs of North Bougainville, Joel banam, Carolus Ketsimur, John Tabinaman, Amos Toromuir, Dennis Sareke, Avo Sini, Joe Toarats, Osborne Tomi;

Representing the women of Bougainville, Thersa Jaintong, Josephine Kauona;

Witnessed by:

Honourable Reverend Leslie Beseto, CMG MO, Minister for Home Affairs & Chairman of Solomon Islands, Bougainville Peace committee, Government of Solomon Islands;