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THE UN’s RIGHTS body expressed deep concern today over the case of a young mother burned alive by a crowd accusing her of sorcery in Papua New Guinea.
“We note with great concern that this case adds to the growing pattern of vigilante attacks and killings of persons accused of sorcery in Papua New Guinea,” said Cecile Pouilly, a spokeswoman for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Kepari Leniata, 20, was reportedly stripped naked, tortured with a branding iron and tied up, splashed with fuel and set alight on a pile of rubbish topped with car tyres, while a crowd that included school children looked on.
According to news reports, she was torched Wednesday in Mount Hagen by villagers who claimed she killed a six-year-old boy through sorcery, with police outnumbered by onlookers and unable to intervene.
“We urge the government to put an end to these crimes and to bring perpetrators of attacks and killings to justice through thorough, prompt and impartial investigations in accordance with international law,” Pouilly said.
The UN agency also asked that authorities “demonstrate their political will” by educating the public to prevent more attacks and by providing protection to people accused of sorcery.
“In light of the heinous crime which has been committed, we encourage the authorities to hasten the process to strengthen the legal response to such killings,” Pouilly said.
The agency also said authorities should “provide medical and psychosocial treatment for victims”.
There is widespread belief in sorcery in the poverty-stricken Pacific nation where many people do not accept natural causes as an explanation for misfortune, illness, accidents and death.
There have been several other cases of witchcraft and cannibalism in PNG in recent years.
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Frakkin animals, sickens me to hear this still happens in the world
an animal wouldn’t do such a thing..
Religion kills again. Poor lady. What vile inhuman acts inflicted upon her in the name of superstitious beliefs.
Religion didn’t kill her, people did.
First time I have disagreed with you.. That was not because of religion. Even though as you said it was a vile act.
Blaming Christianity and Islam and Hinduism, ie by using the word religion, in a general way is not remotely fair. PNG is an incredibly primitive place.
While this is clearly a deplorable act, the UN has little moral authority as events in Syria persist without intervention.
Yes, if you aren’t perfect then you really shouldn’t be giving out about witch burnings in Papua New Guinea, as my Granny used to say
Well George maybe you can point me in the direction of whatever websites educate you so that I can make more informed statements in future.
PNG is a densely forested land of men with little education, but many guns. While the Aussies have intervened, it frankly needs of century of supporting education to dispel primitive ideas.
have your say