Address rise in sorcery-related crimes

SORCERY related deaths is sweeping parts of our nation without being reported on.
The few cases reported would see the Government, and its relevant authorities, condemning the deaths, then it is all quiet again.
It may be quiet in the media, but sorcery-related violence is on the rise because most times it happens in the remotest part of the country.
Regardless of whether it is reported or not, action is needed.
Action is long-overdue and too many innocent victims haunt those who care for the future of this country.
Most of those killed are women, mothers and grandmothers.
What chance will their children have of reaching adulthood as most would have been marked as the offspring of a slaughtered witch? This is a frightening situation for women in Papua New Guinea and it is becoming too common in a country where we like to call ourselves Christian.
We dare to call ourselves a Christian nation.
Are we? Committed Christians could not stand to see those who have committed no crime lose their lives.
The media receives criticisms for highlighting these stories, saying it portrays a bad image overseas and it affects tourism and what not.
We welcome the criticisms for highlighting these stories which should be told and not pushed under the carpet because some describe it as “negative news”.
We will continue to highlight such killings until the community and the leaders they have elected wake up and take action.
Most times, photographs of the twisted remains of those killed are not published because they were gut-wrenching.
Has there been any move by authorities to safeguard their lives or to protect them for future attacks?
It is impossible not to compare the many deaths reported in the past decade.
And perhaps, worst of all, will be the reaction of the outside world.
Can you imagine Papua New Guineans working or studying overseas trying to explain such a barbaric custom to their hostel mates and colleagues?
If no one in a position of authority and influence is standing up to call this action “evil”, who will?
We should take a stand.
We have said this already that it takes a person with courage to speak the truth and blast through the pretense and lies.
There is no positive future for this country if we continue to believe in this sanguma story and accuse, torture and murder our innocent men and women.
The challenge is now on our churches and government leaders to speak up.
And the media should continue publishing it so the whole country knows what each church is saying, what each minister and MP is saying. Again, what is needed, is education.
Unless the people are empowered and transformed, this is an attitude problem constructed and crafted by cultural and traditional practices and beliefs.
Yesterday (Aug 10) marked the first ever International Day against Sorcery Accusation Victims, and organisers hope the campaign, “A voice for the voiceless” would put the issue back on the national agenda.
The initiative is being driven by the Catholic bishop of Mendi, Don Lippert, who said it iwas all about was spreading awareness.
Collaboration is the way forward to deal with this issue.
A society that does not protect the vulnerable, children, the aged, the handicapped and the poor is a failed society.