Sorcery-Related Violence Continues in Papua New Guinea

Two women facing accusations of witchcraft were brutally attacked on April 25 in Papua New Guinea’s capital of Port Moresby. Around 20 men subjected the women to questioning and then proceeded to assault and torture them with rope and hot irons. 

One of the women managed to escape and notify the police of the attack. When they arrived on the scene, police found the other woman lying on the ground with severe head and leg injuries. Both were admitted to a hospital, where they have received treatment and counseling.

The survivor who first notified the police said that the men wanted them to admit to the killing of another woman who had died one week prior. National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop addressed the heinous incident, remarking, “I am totally disgusted and disappointed by the actions of the men who tortured the two women in the nation’s capital. The fact that it could still happen in the capital city shows we are a long way away from ending gender-based violence, and sorcery accusatory violence in particular.”

Unfortunately, assaults against women and children remain common in Papua New Guinea, partly on account of an uptick in Sorcery Accusation Related Violence (SARV). 

In February, villagers accused six women of sorcery after claiming that they had removed a man’s heart. In November 2020, authorities reported five deaths relating to SARV in just one week, including the hanging of a 13-year old schoolboy. 

Governor of Oro Province Gari Juffa joined other government officials in taking a strong stand against SARV. In response to the November incident, the Juffa said that “[SARV] stems from poor education, lack of awareness, limited opportunities coupled with deteriorating capacity for law and order and a lack of political will.” 

Papua New Guinea’s government rolled out a SARV national action plan in 2015, having acted on the recommendation to investigate all reports of SARV and try all those accused. Human Rights Watch, however, recently criticized the Papua New Guinean government for failing to adhere to its action plan. In a submission published on March 31, the organization claimed that officials rarely prosecute SARV offenders, and those who instigate witch hunts or participate in attacks rarely stand to account. 

In the search for solutions, some officials have highlighted the importance of allocating funds to the National Gender-Based Violence Strategy 2016-2026. When fully implemented, the program will address gender-based violence through legislative reform and better educating those in rural communities.