PNG Tribal Foundation President GT Bustin says Papua New Guinea needs to effectively implement and enforce existing laws dealing with offences at the community level before talking about introducing or enforcing the death penalty.
“How can we fix law and order in the country when we are not implementing smaller laws that have been passed by the government over the years, yet we continue to ask for and talk about the death penalty?” Mr Bustin said.
Mr Bustin pointed to Section 520 of the Criminal Code (Amendment) Act 2022 as an example of legislation that needs to be consistently enforced.
The amendment criminalises offences relating to sorcery accusations, including purporting to act as a glassman or glassmeri, using or attempting to use the services of a glassman or glassmeri, making sorcery accusations, and profiting from acting or purporting to act as a glassman or glassmeri.
Mr Bustin said the law must be used to hold accountable those who make sorcery accusations that lead to violence in communities.
He said there are many genuine and dedicated police officers throughout the country who work tirelessly to uphold the law. However, the actions of a small number of corrupt officers including accepting “snake bail,” taking money through backdoor arrangements, or allowing compensation to interfere with criminal matters have undermined cases that could otherwise have been successfully prosecuted.
“Many people argue that sorcery is part of their culture and traditional beliefs. We understand that these beliefs exist, but the problem begins when people use those beliefs to accuse another person of sorcery,” Mr Bustin said.
“Sutim tok long narapela olsem sanguma (the act of accusing another person of being a sorcerer) is one of the biggest problems in our communities. Innocent people are losing their lives because of these accusations, and that is what we are fighting against.
“It is not our culture to burn down someone’s home and torture them for days so that we can take their land, home, property or even their business.”he said .
PNG Tribal Foundation has been at the forefront of addressing sorcery accusation-related violence (SARV) through victim support, assisting law enforcement with arrests and prosecutions, and community awareness and prevention.
Mr Bustin said Section 520 provides significant penalties for people convicted of offences relating to sorcery accusations.
He pointed to the recent conviction of Amelmeh Paul, 42, from Bulolo, Morobe Province, who was sentenced to seven years in prison after claiming to be a prayer warrior and making an accusation that contributed to the killing of a mother of five in 2023.
Mr Bustin called for greater awareness of the law throughout communities and among police officers so that it can be effectively applied whenever sorcery accusations occur.
“We already have laws that can save lives and hold perpetrators accountable. The first step in restoring law and order is making sure the laws we already have are understood, implemented and consistently enforced,” Mr Bustin said.
Police, the Department of Justice and Attorney General, prosecutors and the courts all have critical roles to play in ensuring these laws are effectively enforced.