Prime Minister Hon. James Marape issued a global call to action at the United Nations General Assembly today, urging all member states and bilateral partners to protect freedom of conscience, thought, and religion.

During his address to the 81st UNGA in New York, the Prime Minister argued that religious majorities must never use their economic, military, or numerical ad- vantage to suppress or persecute religious minorities.

He emphasized that human rights lose their meaning if they are applied selectively or fail to protect vulnerable communities.

“The strength of a nation, a government, an economy, a technology or a religion should never be used to suppress the fundamental rights of another hu- man being,” PM Marape stated.

“And the might of a religious majority must never be used to suppress those who belong to a religious minority.”

The Prime Minister cited Section 45 of Papua New Guinea’s Constitution, which legally guarantees freedom of religion and protects citizens from forced religious observance, as a baseline model for domestic governance.

Despite Papua New Guinea being a predominantly Christian nation, Prime Minister Marape stated that true faith cannot be imposed by legislation, fear, or state persecution, remarking that “faith that is forced is no longer faith.”

He urged nations of all major religious demographics—including Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist majorities—to look within their own borders to ensure that minorities are not subjected to state-sanctioned or societal discrimination.

“You do not have to believe what I believe in order for me to defend your human rights,” PM Marape added.