A Papua New Guinea student studying in Australia says the police who opened fire on a group of university students in Port Moresby should have "a good look at themselves".
About 70 people rallied outside the office of the PNG Consulate-General in Sydney on Friday, shouting "shame" and demanding the protection of democratic rights.
Five students were wounded when police opened fire on a group from the University of PNG, who planned to present a petition to Prime Minister Peter O'Neill amid corruption allegations.
Stanley Kumasimba Wamaware, who studies at Macquarie University but hails from PNG, says the violence was uncalled for and "undermines the democratic process".
Fellow PNG expat Jeanne Haurama said whoever gave the order to shoot "should have a good look at themselves".
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"The students are the future leaders. They are the people who will rule our nation," she said.
The PNG nationals were joined by members of Union Aid Abroad, the National Union of Students, the Maritime Union of Australia and the Socialist Alliance party.
National Union of Students representative April Holcombe read out a message from the president of the University of PNG student representative council, Kenneth Rapa.
"We must stand for the truth, justice and liberty," the message said.
"Here in PNG, we the students have been fighting for these principles and virtues.
"We ask now kindly that you would put your hands together with us for this task that is before us."
PNG Consul-General Sumasy Singin, who addressed the peaceful protesters, said he could not provide any details about the Port Moresby incident but that he had listened to their messages.
"To continue with the justice system, we need to live with the rule of law, and that is what we are all aiming for," he said.
