Apparently murders based on accusations of sorcery have been a growing problem in Papua New Guinea. So much so that the government had announced that they are planning to toughen laws to combat it.
In 2008, more than 50 people were murdered and the defendants were simply using claims that the victims were magic-makers as an excuse.
This is not okay. Especially because the justice system couldn’t handle it. The article says:
Prosecuting those who kill these so-called magic makers within tight-knit communities is problematic, they add, and rural courts often acquit those who are made to stand trial.
I completely understand the debate that goes on between the cultural traditions (in terms of the continuing old fears) and the newer secular laws. But in the end, there needs to be laws in place that protect individuals.
[Source: BBC]
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