Evelyn Kunda, an activist currently in New Zealand, is raising awareness about the devastating effects of sorcery-related violence in Papua New Guinea. She emphasizes the urgent need for more robust laws to protect innocent individuals and ensure justice for victims of such violence.
In Papua New Guinea, accusations of sorcery can lead to severe repercussions, including assaults, torture, and even murder. Those who manage to survive these attacks often find themselves ostracized from their communities.
Kunda has expressed to RNZ that survivors of these brutal incidents are often neglected by authorities in the Pacific region. She is particularly heartbroken by the impact this violence has on the children of those accused of sorcery.
“People then label them as ‘the sorcery kid,’” she noted. “People believe they will teach the children sorcery. Where will those kids go?”
She highlighted that accusations of sorcery are frequently manipulated by thieves to justify taking homes, businesses, or land, disproportionately affecting women.
In October 2023, Papua New Guinea’s MPs were informed that the rates of gender-based and sorcery-related violence were significantly higher than previously reported. Governor Powes Parkop of Port Moresby remarked that there is a nationwide demand for increased action on this issue. Although the exact number of annual attacks related to sorcery remains unclear, it is acknowledged that the prevalence of sorcery accusation-related violence (SARV) is substantial, as indicated by a report from the Australian think tank Devpolicy.
The researchers cited the challenges in estimating the extent of SARV occurrences in the other 18 provinces of Papua New Guinea, stating that over 98% of such cases do not reach the courts.
Kunda noted that in some instances, the number of individuals perpetrating sorcery-related violence far exceeds the police presence, leaving law enforcement merely as observers.
“Justice is essential; laws must be enforced, and community by-laws need to be established,” she stated.
In Goroka, Kunda provides support to anyone who comes to her for help, even at unusual hours. “Victims need assistance. They can come to my home anytime if they are in danger,” she said.
This year’s Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival features a documentary about Kunda and her advocacy work. She insists that the crimes against innocent people in her country must be recognized globally.
Additionally, an exhibition showcasing photographs of violence linked to sorcery in Papua New Guinea is being held in Porirua, Wellington. Kunda is actively involved in supporting victims accused of sorcery as part of a network of human rights defenders in her home country.