The United Nations strongly condemns all forms of violence and calls for immediate action against the perpetrators of Sorcery Accusation-Related Violence

Recent media reporting of these events describes human rights abuses against five women resulting in the deaths of at least three of these victims and leaving the survivors in need of urgent medical attention and trauma counselling. This follows similar and all too common incidents such as the one in March 2021, where a mother and daughter were attacked in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province.  

Sorcery accusation-related violence must be investigated and prosecuted consistent with due process of law. Those found responsible must be held accountable. 

This recent event once again highlights the continuing challenge of addressing sorcery accusation-related violence in Papua New Guinea. Those acting as glasman or glasmeri must be held responsible for the accusations that lead to these behaviors and crimes.

The United Nations Resident Coordinator a.i., Mr. Dirk Wagener today called on the Government of Papua New Guinea to immediately pursue the perpetrators of sorcery accusation-related violence to ensure they are brought to justice. “Often targeting women and girls, sorcery accusation-related violence remains common in some parts of the country. This violence results in death, disability and ostracization and is a gross violation of human rights. Defense of such practices by some as ‘cultural’ are baseless and must be dismissed,” said Mr. Wagener.

The importance of this has been advocated by the Special Parliamentary Committee on Gender-Based Violence. During its first public hearing and through its subsequent Parliamentary report, it has not only underscored the need to address sorcery accusation-related violence, but the damage all forms of family, sexual and gender-based violence have and continue to cause in Papua New Guinea. Among its recommendations are to strengthen the application of existing laws in the prosecution of cases, including those relating to glasman/glasmeri and the review of existing legislation to ensure sorcery accusation-related violence can be prosecuted effectively. Such sentiments have been highlighted in recent recommendations following Papua New Guinea’s Universal Period Review of human rights earlier this year.  

Only a very small number of SARV cases are prosecuted each year. This latest incident demonstrates the ongoing impunity which presently exists regarding these crimes and highlights why solutions must address both the underlying legal and social issues.   

The Government of Papua New Guinea bears the primary responsibility for promoting and protecting human rights. It must ensure the right to life and security for all people in the country. To this end, the United Nations further calls on the Government to raise community awareness about such issues and consider measures that educate all citizens on why such practices are unacceptable, in addition to the application and strengthening of all measures under the law.  

The United Nations remains deeply committed to supporting the Government and people of Papua New Guinea eliminate sorcery accusation-related violence as part of its efforts to eliminate all forms of gender-based violence against women and girls.