12 Apr 2013

UN in Papua New Guinea calls for urgent action to stop sorcery killings

6:37 pm on 12 April 2013

The United Nations system in Papua New Guinea, in a statement, has condemned the extra-judicial killings related to accusations of sorcery.

It is demanding an end to the practice.

It has also renewed its urgent call for the Sorcery Act to be repealed, to promote and support the prosecution of sorcery cases.

It says provision for the protection of victims of sorcery-related violence must also be increased as a matter of urgency.

The UN says it is deeply disturbed with the increasing reports of violence, torture and murder and says these vigilante killings constitute murder and must not be treated with impunity.