Advocates call for stricter laws to prevent witchcraft-related violence in Papua New Guinea

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A photo taken on February 6, 2013 shows a crowd watching a young mother accused of witchcraft being stripped naked, tortured with branding irons, tied up, doused with fuel and then set on fire

This February 6, 2013 photo shows a crowd watching as a young mother accused of witchcraft was stripped naked, allegedly tortured with a branding iron, tied up, doused with fuel and burned on top of a pile of rubbish topped with car tires in Mount Hagen, Papua New Guinea’s Western Highlands.
photo: AFP/Postal Express

Papua New Guinea urgently needs stronger laws to protect the innocent and bring justice to victims of witchcraft-related violence, an advocate says.

Activist Evelyn Kunda is currently in New Zealand, shedding light on the horrors of witchcraft-related violence in the country.

In Papua New Guinea, those accused of witchcraft are often beaten, tortured and killed, and anyone who survives an attack is expelled from their community.

Kunda told ABC New Zealand that Pacific authorities were failing to help survivors of such violence.

She said her heart broke seeing the toll this violence took on children who were victims of witchcraft violence.

“And then people would say, this is a witch child. This man thinks they’re going to pass on witchcraft to their child. So where would they go?”

She said accusing someone of witchcraft is often an excuse for people to steal land, businesses or other people’s homes, and most of the targets are women.

In October 2023, Papua New Guinea MPs were told that gender-based and witchcraft violence was widespread and much higher than reported.

Port Moresby Premier Povis Parker handed in a damning report and said stakeholders across the country wanted more action.

The dusty streets of Goroka - Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea

Researchers say no one knows how many witchcraft accusations and violence have occurred in Papua New Guinea.
photo: Paul Wolffram

according to Research Australian think tank Devpolicy said violence related to witchcraft accusations (SARV) “is a significant number” but “no one knows how many Papua New Guineans are attacked each year over stories of magical sugar cane”.

Devpolicy blog researchers said: “It is difficult to estimate how many cases of SARV occur each year in the other 18 provinces of Papua New Guinea.” Written in 2021.

“While a minority of people go to court, more than 98 percent do not,” they wrote.

Kunda said she has heard of cases where perpetrators of witchcraft violence far outnumbered the police, who stood by and watched.

“We do need justice, or the law has to be strong and then it has to go into the villages, or we have to make bylaws in the communities.”

She said she would help anyone who came to her door in Goroka.

“(The victims) need help. So, every time they come to my house, even at night, like one or two in the morning, they can come (if) lives (are in danger).”