The Missing Persons (Revised) Policy 2023 endorses the Department of Bougainville Independence Mission Implementation (DBIMI) to act as the focal point within the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) for the re-establishment of a consultative committee composed of multiple actors regarding the implementation of the policy.

The mandate of the Bougainville Committee on the Missing is exclusively humanitarian for the purposes to:
 

• oversee the effective implementation of the ABG Missing Persons Policy, as adopted by the BEC Decision no. 33/2023, dated 31st May 2023,

• support the ABG in its ongoing efforts to address the issue of persons who went missing during the Bougainville Conflict, and

• facilitate, with the Secretary of DBIMI, in maintaining alignment with international humanitarian expectations on the issue of missing persons and the families of the missing, in line with International Humanitarian Law, where possible.

The Bougainville Committee on the Missing is comprised of the following stakeholders:

 

Members:

• Representatives of the families of missing persons
• Department of Bougainville Independence Mission Implementation (Chair)
• Department of Community Government
• Department of Community Development
• Department of Police and Correctional Services
• Bougainville Council of Churches
• Bougainville Veterans Federation
• Bougainville Women’s Federation
• Bougainville Youth Federation
• Bougainville-based former PNGDF
• Nazareth Centre for Rehabilitation

 

Observers:

• International Committee of the Red Cross
• PNG Red Cross Society (ARoB Branch)