US ambassador challenges Papua New Guineans to challenge sorcery violence

U.S. Ambassador Walter North is in Mendi, Southern Highlands province to attend a sorcery-related violence forum and to recognize the many courageous heroes who raise their voices to challenge sorcery violence.

The forum held today, Wednesday 28 October, is an initiative of the Catholic Diocese of Mendi and will have relevant stakeholders discuss concrete ways and approaches to overcome sorcery and witchcraft related violence in Papua New Guinea.

Discussions will look at existing sorcery and witchcraft related problems, exploring and identifying available interventions and finding how the issue can be addressed. The forum is being held in light of the recent sorcery related violence that has taken place particularly against women in Mendi.

The United States has come out clearly against sorcery related violence. Earlier the Embassy called on the provincial police authorities to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the senseless acts of brutal violence inflicted on three women and one man in Mendi and for the appropriate resources and attention to be dedicated to addressing these crimes.

Too often this sort of violence goes unreported and occurs without the perpetrators being held accountable. Adequate and timely response by the police and judicial system is needed to deter future crimes and hold perpetrators responsible for their actions.

The United States continues to call for the strengthening of Papua New Guinea’s criminal justice system to allow for enhanced prevention and response efforts and proper enforcement of existing criminal law and furthermore has asked that the Papua New Guinean government, public, and civil society to say no to violence in their communities and put an end to the stigmas that lead to it.