Six jailed a total 48 years for sorcery-torture of three women
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| Doctors in PNG are trying to educate local people about the real cause of death, to try and avoid sorcery accusations. Picture: Torsten Blackwood / AFPSource:AFP For image text, go to https://www.news.com.au/world/pacific/they-thought-it-would-be-proper-to-terminate-her-life/news-story/dd845dfb2220f5726a4926082d4cdb84 (‘They thought it would be proper to terminate her life’) |
Six jailed a total 48 years for sorcery-torture of three women
PORT MORESBY: It is appalling that sorcery-related tortures and killings are still happening in the 21st Century digital world.
The Governments of countries where such barbaric practices are still happening, like in Papua New Guinea (PNG), take serious and affirmative action to stop such inhumane acts.
A country cannot hope to progress effectively with international recognition as a developed nation if such sorcery-related crimes are not effectively wiped out to assure both domestic and foreign investors.
Sorcery-related crimes, no doubt, taint the image of a country as a civilised nation.
Last Friday (June 28, 2019), six men who tortured three women they suspected of practising sorcery were jailed eight years each.
Justice David Susame remarked in a National Court sitting in Lihir, New Ireland, that “there has been so much public outcry on sorcery-related injuries and killings”.
He also noted that the situation had caught the attention of the global community and human rights advocates, forcing the Government to take action.
Here are the details of the judge’s findings as reported by The National:
Torturers jailed
By ROSELYN ELLISONSIX men who tortured three women they suspected of practising sorcery have been sentenced to eight years each in jail.
Justice David Susame told a National Court sitting in Lihir, New Ireland, last Friday that “there has been so much public outcry on sorcery-related injuries and killings”.
“It is becoming a practice in some parts of the country. Suspected sorcerers are usually rounded up and brutally tortured to the point of receiving permanent injuries or death,” he said.
“Properties are destroyed and burnt.”
He said the situation had caught the attention of the global community and human rights advocates, forcing the Government to take action.
“Because of the immense pressure put on the Government, wholesale changes were made to the laws with the repealing of the Sorcery Act and introduction of new penalties for sorcery-related killing.”
The six were originally charged with attempted murder but after the trial, Justice Susame sentenced them on the lesser charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
The six are Rex Uma, 38, from Kagua, Southern Highlands, David Loia, 35 from Pale, Southern Highlands, Steven Kena from Nunga in Western Highlands, Joseph Kaule from Londolovit, New Ireland, John Kande Pipi, 42, from Lihir, New Ireland and Alex Jimmy, 27, from Londolovit, New Ireland.
The decision was handed down last Friday during the National Court sitting held in Lihir. They will serve their jail terms with hard labour at the Kavieng prison.
The court heard that Kaule’s daughter Lavinia had felt an odd sensation in her heart. A group of women who attend the Revival Church were called to pray over her. The group then revealed the names of the three women “responsible” for Lavinia’s heart ailment.
On July 22, 2015, the three women, two of whom were pregnant, were summoned to a meeting and made to sit on a platform with their hands tied.
The court was told that a fire was lit a few meters away to heat metal objects plus a kettle of water. This was done to force the three women into confessing. The hot metal objects were placed on their bodies and hot water poured over them.
They were tortured for about four hours before police arrived to stop it. They suffered first, second and third degree burns.
Justice Susame said God “does not expose names of persons to be condemned for their wrong doings but to save lives”.
Susame said a medical report dated July 25, 2015, showed that Lavinia had no serious medical condition. He said Lavinia had a mild moderate headache and was treated with pain relief.
Justice David Susame told a National Court sitting in Lihir, New Ireland, last Friday that “there has been so much public outcry on sorcery-related injuries and killings”.
“It is becoming a practice in some parts of the country. Suspected sorcerers are usually rounded up and brutally tortured to the point of receiving permanent injuries or death,” he said.
“Properties are destroyed and burnt.”
He said the situation had caught the attention of the global community and human rights advocates, forcing the Government to take action.
“Because of the immense pressure put on the Government, wholesale changes were made to the laws with the repealing of the Sorcery Act and introduction of new penalties for sorcery-related killing.”
The six were originally charged with attempted murder but after the trial, Justice Susame sentenced them on the lesser charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
The six are Rex Uma, 38, from Kagua, Southern Highlands, David Loia, 35 from Pale, Southern Highlands, Steven Kena from Nunga in Western Highlands, Joseph Kaule from Londolovit, New Ireland, John Kande Pipi, 42, from Lihir, New Ireland and Alex Jimmy, 27, from Londolovit, New Ireland.
The decision was handed down last Friday during the National Court sitting held in Lihir. They will serve their jail terms with hard labour at the Kavieng prison.
The court heard that Kaule’s daughter Lavinia had felt an odd sensation in her heart. A group of women who attend the Revival Church were called to pray over her. The group then revealed the names of the three women “responsible” for Lavinia’s heart ailment.
On July 22, 2015, the three women, two of whom were pregnant, were summoned to a meeting and made to sit on a platform with their hands tied.
The court was told that a fire was lit a few meters away to heat metal objects plus a kettle of water. This was done to force the three women into confessing. The hot metal objects were placed on their bodies and hot water poured over them.
They were tortured for about four hours before police arrived to stop it. They suffered first, second and third degree burns.
Justice Susame said God “does not expose names of persons to be condemned for their wrong doings but to save lives”.
Susame said a medical report dated July 25, 2015, showed that Lavinia had no serious medical condition. He said Lavinia had a mild moderate headache and was treated with pain relief.
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