PNG Post Courier Business Editor Rosalyn Abaniel-Evara
Konedobu, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea-- Papua New Guinea police have ordered a halt to the burial of PNG business editor Rosalyn Abaniel-Evara, so that a post-mortem may be carried out.
Pacific media colleagues are calling for justice and due process of law to prevail after shocking revelations at the funeral service for the senior Papua New Guinea journalist.
Post Courier Business Editor Rosalyn Abaniel-Evara reportedly died in her sleep on Sunday, Oct. 15 after complaining of head pains.
But information and testimony given by an outraged relative during her funeral service in Port Moresby on Monday Oct. 23, revealed a pattern of marital abuse inflicted on the 41-year-old mother.
“We welcome a move by police to halt the burial of our colleague and an order seeking a post-mortem be carried out,” says PFF Chair Monica Miller.
PFF also paid tribute to the bravery of her family in raising allegations before it was too late.
In her tribute, the editor’s paternal aunt, Mary Albaniel, warned viewers with children before she showed graphic images of trauma and bruising to her niece’s torso and neck. Relatives also wore orange and black t-shirts against Gender Based Violence, supporting the tribute to Rosalyn. A mother of three, Rosalyn had lost two sons to a rare congenital illness in the last two years. She is survived by her daughter Janelle and her husband, Warren Evara.
“We urge the family to ensure justice for Rosalyn and her daughter by restoring truth to the pain of this loss, and allowing an official complaint to proceed as well as the necessary post-mortem findings to be investigated.
“PFF especially urges Police to respect their duty to uphold the rule of law as a blatant crime has stolen a mother from her child, a woman from her family, a professional from her industry, and a citizen from her nation.”
Speaking from American Samoa, Miller says an official investigation would allow justice to do its work, and clear up allegations involving her family.
[Bernadette H. Carreon of Pacific Island Times /Pacific Note is a Co-chair of Pacific Freedom Forum. Contacts: carreon.bernadette@gmail.com + 6807794304]