‘Enough of violence for accusations of witchcraft’

The Church calls for an end to impunity for those who torture women accused of witchcraft. Last month, four women were killed because they were blamed for the death of a local businessman. So far, the plans implemented by the government have not worked.

Port Moresby () – “Enough of the violence linked to accusations of witchcraft” and end the impunity of those who perpetrate such acts. It is the appeal of Caritas in Papua New Guinea during a press conference that took place today, after the brutal mistreatment inflicted on nine women accused of witchcraft for the death of a well-known businessman in Enga province.

Following the discovery of the body of Jacob Luke, the businessman and owner of Mapai Transport who likely died of a heart attack or stroke, members of the local community tortured nine women, killing four of them.

“Those who survived are in the care of our staff and volunteers, under the administration of the Catholic Diocese of Wabag. We will continue to provide care until their reintegration into the community, when it is deemed safe,” said the diocese’s auxiliary bishop, Monsignor Justin Ain Soongie. “We strongly condemn this heinous act perpetrated by some individuals who continue to disturb the peace and harmony of our societies by inflicting unimaginable suffering on vulnerable women.”

Referring to accusations of witchcraft, the Caritas statement maintains that “it is opportunistic behavior driven largely by suspicion, fear, revenge or revenge, dishonesty and economic desires, and unfortunately it is often encouraged by friends. and family members.” “Although witchcraft beliefs and practices remain prevalent in some parts of the country, we have never seen an act as brutal as this latest incident.”

“We also draw attention to the recent statements by the Enga Provincial Police Commander and the Police Commissioner, in particular their promise to pursue the perpetrators, ensuring that they will be arrested and prosecuted,” Bishop Justin Ain Soongie continued in his statement. . “We urge them to keep his word and to make the same call to the Wabag courts to act quickly and expedite the cases of violence related to witchcraft accusations, so that the guilty are punished.” “It is really inconceivable that the perpetrators of such serious acts enjoy such impunity.”

To end the problem once and for all, the latest appeal was addressed to politicians: “We ask the elected members of parliament of Enga province and the new government to give priority to eradicating the violence related to the accusations of witchcraft” both locally and nationally. “To remain silent on this issue is to implicitly endorse this evil that is gradually destroying our families, our homes, our societies and the country as a whole,” the statement concludes.

According to a study of Australian National University published in 2017, only 91 out of 15,000 criminals went to jail for the crimes they committed. The plans implemented so far by the government to eradicate the “witch hunt” have been ineffective. On the contrary, according to various local sources, violence linked to witchcraft accusations is increasingly widespread, even in provinces of Papua, where it traditionally did not exist.