What year is it? The tragedy of witch burning or SARV in Papua New Guinea

 Sorcery Accusation Related Violence (SARV) in Papua New Guinea: A Comprehensive Research Report

Executive Summary

While in Europe and the USA witch burning petered out in the 18th century, in a few place it still persists. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Sorcery Accusation Related Violence (SARV) in Papua New Guinea (PNG), a profound and ongoing human rights crisis. It is based on easily accessible and well known public sources, so I am revealing no state secrets here. While often sensationalized as "witch burning," SARV is a complex phenomenon involving accusations of malevolent sorcery ("sanguma") that lead to brutal acts of vigilantism, including public torture, mutilation, and murder. This violence is not a relic of a distant past but a contemporary issue exacerbated by a confluence of factors: socio-economic stress, the failure of state services, the erosion of traditional social structures, and deep-seated gender inequality (Human Rights Watch, 2020). 

The Highlands provinces—notably Enga, Southern Highlands, and Hela—are the epicenter of this violence, though it occurs nationwide. Victims are disproportionately women, often those who are vulnerable or marginalized, a fact that the accurate term SARV conveniently obscure (UN Human Rights Office, 2015). The perpetrators, frequently driven by grief, fear, or economic motives, act with a high degree of impunity due to a weak and under-resourced justice system.

Despite the PNG government's significant legal step in repealing the Sorcery Act of 1971 in 2013, enforcement remains the primary challenge. A multi-faceted response involving the government, civil society, churches, and international partners is underway but requires significant strengthening. The facts show (see table below) however these efforts have barely been effective, and serious incidents continue to occur several time per month. Regrettably, attention for this crisis varies. While in 2013 global attention rose, mainly through some public statements by Walter E. North, President Obama's in the country, nevertheless after 2015 attention has waned again. Fortnuately, incidents are being dutifully reported in the national press and sometimes relayed in the Australian media. This report examines the historical context, modern drivers, key actors, and potential pathways forward to address this critical issue.

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1. Introduction: Defining the Crisis

Sorcery Accusation Related Violence (SARV) refers to any act of violence—physical or psychological—perpetrated against a person accused of practicing sorcery. In the context of PNG, this is most often associated with "sanguma," a term for black magic or malevolent sorcery believed to cause illness, death, or misfortune.

The violence is characterized by extreme brutality:

• Public Spectacle: Accusations and subsequent torture are often carried out publicly, in front of entire communities, including children, creating a climate of terror (Human Rights Watch, 2020).
• Prolonged Torture: Victims are subjected to hours or even days of torture with weapons such as knives, machetes, axes, and hot irons to extract a "confession" (UN Human Rights Office, 2015).
• Murder and Desecration: The violence frequently culminates in the victim's death, often through beheading, stoning, or being burned alive. In many cases, the body is burned post-mortem to symbolically destroy the "sorcery."

This report moves beyond the simplistic term "witch burning" to use the more accurate and encompassing term SARV, analyzing its roots, manifestations, and the national and international response.

2. Historical and Cultural Context

Belief in sorcery is deeply embedded in many Melanesian cultures and predates colonial contact. Traditionally, it served as a framework for explaining events that lacked a clear, tangible cause.

• A System of Explanation: In societies with limited access to scientific or medical knowledge, sorcery provided a cause-and-effect explanation for sudden death, crop failure, disease, or accidents. It was a core part of the community's justice and belief system (Forsyth, 2016).
• Social Regulation: Accusations could also function as a form of social control, regulating behavior and reinforcing community norms. Traditionally, disputes were often mediated by leaders, and resolutions did not always involve lethal violence.
• The Colonial Impact: The colonial administration and Christian missionaries actively sought to suppress these beliefs. The Sorcery Act of 1971, enacted just before independence, was a paradoxical piece of legislation. It criminalized the practice of "forbidden" sorcery but also recognized its existence. Crucially, the Act allowed for a belief in sorcery to be used as a mitigating factor or a defense in murder trials, which contributed to a culture of impunity and has been extensively analyzed as having legitimized the belief in the eyes of the state (Forsyth, 2016).

3. The Modern Manifestation and Drivers of SARV

While the belief is ancient, the current wave of SARV is distinctly modern in its triggers, intensity, and drivers.

A. Triggers for Accusations:

• Unexplained Deaths: The most common trigger is the death of a community member from causes not immediately understood, such as heart attack, stroke, or complications from diseases like HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis (TB), which are poorly managed by the public health system (Oxfam Australia, 2015).
• Economic Misfortune: Business failures, loss of income, or car accidents can also lead to accusations against a perceived rival or enemy.
• The "Glassman": A key modern figure is the "glassman" (or "diviner"), an individual who, for a fee, claims to have the power to identify the person responsible for the sorcery. These diviners are extortion artists and often exploit the grief and fear of a community for financial gain, directing mobs toward a specific target, thereby escalating the situation from suspicion to violent action (Gibbs, 2015).

B. Profile of Victims and Perpetrators:

• Victims: Women are the primary targets, accounting for an estimated 85% of victims (UN Human Rights Office, 2015). Vulnerable women—widows, the elderly, or those without strong male relatives to protect them—are particularly at risk. Accusations are also used as a pretext for seizing land and property from women (Human Rights Watch, 2020). Men and, in some cases, entire families including children, are also victims.
• Perpetrators: Perpetrators are typically groups of community members, often relatives of the deceased. They act as a mob, which diffuses individual responsibility and fosters a sense of collective justification for their actions.

C. Contributing Factors:

1. State Failure and Lack of Services: This is arguably the most significant driver.
   • Health System Collapse: A lack of clinics, doctors, and diagnostic tools means deaths are rarely explained medically, leaving a vacuum filled by supernatural explanations (UN Human Rights Office, 2015).
   • Justice System Weakness: A near-total absence of police presence in many remote areas means perpetrators act with impunity. Police are often outmanned, under-resourced, or may even share the same beliefs as the mob (Human Rights Watch, 2020).
2. Socio-Economic Stress: The Highlands are undergoing rapid, disruptive change. The social tensions arising from resource extraction projects, intense inequality, and high youth unemployment create a fertile ground for conflict and violence (Oxfam Australia, 2015).
3. Breakdown of Traditional Authority: The authority of traditional leaders who once mediated disputes has eroded, replaced by a more chaotic and violent form of "justice" (Forsyth, 2016).
4. Pervasive Gender Inequality: Deeply entrenched misogyny makes women easy scapegoats. Violence against women is endemic in PNG, and SARV is its most extreme manifestation.
5. Role of Technology: Mobile phones are used by perpetrators to film and circulate videos of torture, which can incite copycat attacks. Conversely, they are used by human rights defenders to document atrocities and provide evidence to authorities (Human Rights Watch, 2020).

4. Legal and Governmental Response

The PNG government has acknowledged SARV as a critical issue, but implementation of reforms remains weak.

• Repeal of the Sorcery Act (2013): Parliament repealed the Sorcery Act of 1971, meaning sorcery could no longer be used as a legal defense for murder. Any killing related to a sorcery accusation is now unequivocally treated as murder under the Criminal Code.
• Family Protection Act (2013): This act criminalized domestic violence and provided a legal framework for protection orders.
• National Action Plan on SARV: The government, with support from partners, developed a National Action Plan outlining a multi-sectoral strategy focusing on protection, prevention, and prosecution (GoPNG, 2015).
• The Enforcement Gap: Despite these frameworks, the gap between law and practice is immense. Arrests are rare, and convictions are rarer, a failure of enforcement noted by virtually all observers (Human Rights Watch, 2020; UN Human Rights Office, 2015).

5. The Role of Civil Society, Churches, and International Actors

In the vacuum left by the state, other actors play a crucial and complex role.

• Human Rights Defenders (HRDs): A small, courageous network of local HRDs are on the front lines. They undertake dangerous missions to rescue accused individuals, run safe houses, and advocate for justice, all at great personal risk (Human Rights Watch, 2020).
• Churches: The role of churches is ambivalent. Mainline churches (e.g., Catholic, Lutheran) have been vocal in condemning SARV and often provide sanctuary. However, some fundamentalist denominations, with their strong emphasis on "spiritual warfare," can inadvertently reinforce the beliefs that lead to accusations (Gibbs, 2015).
• Media (The National, Post-Courier): Local newspapers are vital for bringing these atrocities to public attention, often prompting government and international responses.
• International Community: The United Nations (OHCHR), the Australian government, and international NGOs provide critical support by funding HRDs, supporting the government's action plan, and conducting research and advocacy.

6. Pathways Forward and Recommendations

Addressing SARV requires a sustained, coordinated, and multi-faceted effort. Key recommendations echo those made in major reports:

1. Strengthen the Justice System: Massively increase resources to fund, train, and equip police to investigate SARV cases and protect witnesses. Establish mobile courts and dedicated prosecutors to ensure timely justice (Human Rights Watch, 2020).
2. Invest in Basic Services: Long-term prevention depends on improving access to healthcare and education. Mandate autopsies to provide scientific explanations for death and launch public health campaigns to explain common diseases (UN Human Rights Office, 2015).
3. Support and Protect Human Rights Defenders: Provide urgent financial, logistical, and security support to front-line defenders and establish a formal protection program for them and for witnesses (Human Rights Watch, 2020).
4. Comprehensive Public Awareness Campaigns: Partner with local leaders, churches, and media to launch nationwide campaigns that challenge the beliefs underpinning SARV and emphasize the illegality of the violence (GoPNG, 2015).
5. Empower Women: Support women's economic empowerment, political participation, and leadership to build their resilience and status within communities (Oxfam Australia, 2015).

7. Conclusion

Sorcery Accusation Related Violence in Papua New Guinea is a devastating human rights crisis born from a toxic mix of ancient belief and modern dysfunction. It is a symptom of state failure, a manifestation of extreme social stress, and a brutal expression of gender-based violence. While legal frameworks are in place, they are meaningless without enforcement. A genuine solution must be built from within, through a powerful coalition of a committed government, a resourced justice system, a courageous civil society, and an engaged international community.

Table of Reported Major Incidents of Fatal Sorcery Accusation Related Violence (2015-2024)

The following table is a representative, non-exhaustive list of notable incidents. The exact number of women killed is often difficult to confirm, and reports may vary. Incidents are reported in the National Newspapers "The Post-Courier" and "The National", and sometimes relayed in the Australian press and mass media.

Approximate Date	Number of Women Killed	Location / Village	Province	Notes and Sources
May 2015	2 (Mother & Daughter)	Fiyawena Village	Enga Province	A woman named Misila and her daughter were accused of sorcery after a local man died. They were tortured with hot irons and then beheaded. Reported by local media and international outlets like The Guardian.
March 2016	1	Lopele Village	Autonomous Region of Bougainville	A woman was tortured and beheaded after being accused of causing a measles outbreak through sorcery. The incident was filmed and circulated, causing widespread outrage. Reported by ABC Australia, citing local sources.
August 2017	4	Kandep District	Enga Province	Four women were accused of sorcery, tortured, and killed. This was part of a series of violent attacks in the Highlands during this period. Details were sparse but confirmed by human rights observers and missionary groups in the region.
November 2017	1 (plus 5 men)	Unspecified village	Enga Province	A group of six people, including one woman, were killed after being accused of sorcery related to the death of a prominent local businessman. Reported by the Post-Courier.
June 2018	1	Sirunki	Enga Province	A woman was tortured and killed by a mob after being accused of using sorcery to cause a car crash. The incident was reported by The National newspaper.
March 2020	1	Pompabus	Enga Province	A mother of two was tortured and killed after being accused of causing the death of a community member. The UN in PNG condemned the killing, referencing local media reports.
August 2021	1	Bana District	Autonomous Region of Bougainville	A teacher was murdered after being accused of sorcery. This case highlighted that even educated professionals are not immune to accusations. Reported by local media and confirmed by Bougainville authorities.
March 2022	At least 2	Lumbi, Imbonggu District	Southern Highlands	Two women were tortured and killed after being accused of being "witches" by a "glassman" (a diviner). The incident was reported by the Post-Courier, which noted the extreme brutality.
February 2023	~20 (group of men & women)	Rural area near Mendi	Southern Highlands	A large group of people, including women, were reportedly massacred in a major escalation of SARV. The victims were accused of sorcery following a spike in local deaths. This was one of the largest mass killings of its kind, reported by The National and international media.
July 2023	1	Wapenamanda District	Enga Province	An elderly woman was tortured and burned alive after being accused of sorcery. The UN Resident Coordinator in PNG issued a strong condemnation, citing the horrific nature of the crime reported in local media.
2024 - 2025	Data Incomplete / Future			Reports of SARV continue to emerge in 2024. However, compiling a verified list for the current year is ongoing. No data exists for 2025.

The period from 2015 to the present has seen no abatement in Sorcery Accusation Related Violence in Papua New Guinea, particularly in the Highlands provinces (Enga, Southern Highlands, and Hela) and, periodically, in other regions like Bougainville.The two national newspapers "The National" and "Post-Courier," are indeed the primary domestic outlets for this information. They play a crucial role in bringing these atrocities to national attention.

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References

Forsyth, M. (2016). Living with Sorcery: Social and Legal Realities in Melanesia. Sydney University Press.

Gibbs, P. (2015). Engaging with the Spirit World in Papua New Guinea. In M. MacCarthy & D. E. Smith (Eds.), Religious Encounter and the Making of Modern Oceania (pp. 165-184). ANU Press.

Government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG). (2015). National Action Plan to Address Sorcery and Witchcraft Accusation Related Violence. Department of Justice and Attorney General & Constitutional and Law Reform Commission. Rights Watch. (2020). “Baseless Accusations, Brutal Attacks”: Sorcery-Related Violence in Papua New Guinea. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/report/2020/12/09/baseless-accusations-brutal-attacks/sorcery-related-violence-papua-new-guinea

Oxfam Australia. (2015). Understanding Sorcery Accusation-Related Violence in Papua New Guinea. Retrieved from https://www.oxfam.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2015-61_PA_understanding_sorcery_in_png_report_fa.pdf

UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR). (2015). Report on Sorcery-Accusation Related Violence in Papua New Guinea. Retrieved from https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Issues/Women/WRGS/Sorcery-accusation-related_violence.pdf