MORE than 300 people in Kaugere, Moresby South, have been reached through an awareness program on the Criminal Code (Amendment) Act 2022, which provides for the prosecution of perpetrators who cause harm to innocent people through sorcery accusations last week .
PNG Tribal Foundation conducted the awareness in the community, focusing on the so-called “Glassman” law and how it can be applied to people who commit violence against others without understanding the legal consequences of their actions.
The awareness attracted community members, including children, who took part in discussions to learn more about the law and how it can be used to protect people from sorcery accusation-related violence (SARV).
Senisim Pasin National Coordinator Marjorie Finkeo, who led the awareness, said many people were still unaware of the law, including some police officers, particularly those working at rural police stations where access to copies of the legislation and knowledge about its application can be limited.
“Many times, we visit police stations to check on the status of our SARV cases and we encounter policemen having challenges with their knowledge on how to apply the law to perpetrators.
“A lot of incidents happen because of accusations and ‘sutim tok’ without any evidence. Innocent lives have been taken, homes and properties destroyed, leaving many people displaced.
“We have laws to protect lives, and those who continue to accuse someone, pay prayer warriors, glassman or glassmeri, and those self-claimed prayer warriors must know that the law is there to hold you accountable for your actions,” Ms Finkeo said.
Kaugere chairman Koivi Ako said community leadership was not easy because there were always people seeking leadership positions.
“I am a community leader and was once accused over the position. It is good that Tribal Foundation came and did awareness for the people because many of them are not aware of the laws,” Mr Ako said.
Human rights defender Michael Koime, from Gulf Province, said innocent lives were being lost and houses burnt in incidents that often went unreported because of a lack of police manpower.
He said people who died from lifestyle diseases were sometimes blamed for being poisoned or affected by sanguma.
Mr Koime called on community members to stop spreading rumours and accusing people without evidence, saying there were proper channels available to resolve disputes in communities.
Ms Finkeo said a 45-minute documentary, Senisim Pasin, was also screened for the community in the evening.
The screening was followed by an open dialogue on gender-based violence, drug abuse and other social issues affecting communities. //ends