Evelyn Kunda, an activist currently residing in Aotearoa, is raising awareness about the severe issue of sorcery-related violence in Papua New Guinea. She emphasizes the urgent need for stronger laws to safeguard innocents and ensure justice for victims of such violence.
In Papua New Guinea, individuals accused of sorcery often face brutal assaults, torture, or even death, while those who manage to survive are frequently exiled from their communities.
Kunda shared her concerns with RNZ, stating that survivors of these attacks are being failed by authorities across the Pacific. She expressed deep sorrow over the impact of this violence on the children of victims, saying, “People would then proclaim, ‘This is the sorcery kid.’ The belief is that they will teach the children [sorcery]. Where will they go next, then?”
She highlighted that accusations of sorcery are often exploited by thieves as a rationale for stealing homes, businesses, or land, with women being the primary targets.
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 acknowledged. Governor Powes Parkop of Port Moresby noted that stakeholders across the country are seeking more decisive action. A report revealed that while the incidence of sorcery accusation-related violence (SARV) is substantial, the exact number of annual attacks remains unknown, according to research from the Australian think tank Devpolicy.
Researchers from the Devpolicy Blog mentioned in 2021 that accurately estimating the occurrences of SARV across the 18 provinces of PNG is challenging. They reported that while a few cases make it to court, over 98% do not.
Kunda highlighted instances where the number of individuals engaging in sorcery violence vastly outnumbers the police, who often remain merely bystanders. “We really need justice, or the law must be strong and reach the villages, or we need to establish by-laws within the communities,” she stated.
In Goroka, Kunda offers assistance to anyone seeking help at her home. “Victims need support. So, when they come to my home, even at unusual hours like one or two in the morning, they are welcome if their lives are at risk,” she noted.
Kunda’s work is also being showcased in a new documentary featured at the Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival this year. She believes it is essential for the world to be aware of the crimes against innocent people in her country.
A photo exhibition documenting acts of violence related to sorcery in Papua New Guinea is currently on display in Porirua, Wellington. As a member of a network of human rights defenders in her country, Kunda remains dedicated to supporting victims accused of sorcery.