UN Condemns Papua New Guinea’s Killing Of Witchcraft Accused Women

UN Condemns Papua New Guinea’s Killing Of Witchcraft Accused Women

This last week brought about some regrettable events in Papua New Guinea, where a woman was killed after she was accused of witchcraft.

The U.N. have condemned the events and urged the New Guinea government to take measures to reduce the violence against people who are accused of witchcraft and to take out a controversial sorcery law.

Kepari Lanieta who was just 20 years old was accused of killing a 6 year old child though witchcraft. The young woman was stripped, beaten and set on fire by the you child’s relatives while a crowd of hundreds of people looked on and stopped police and firemen from intervening.

This is not an isolated case in the oceanic state as killings have been registered all over the country. The U.N. is calling for the government of the Oceanic state to remove the 1971 law that makes sorcery illegal.

The attacks seem to be carried out by young men who are usually under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The old tradition of “wantok” that function in Papua New Guinea's society lets most of the murderers get away because no one will cooperate with the police or international investigators.

The U.N. recommendation and report has yet to be presented to the Papua New Guinea government.

Posted by James Fried on Saturday February 09 2013, 3:31 AM EST. Ref: NY Times. Link. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, World. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0