Papua New Guinea: Women Killed for Suspected Witchcraft
Friday, April 12, 2013 10:40 AM
Two elderly women, accused of witchcraft, were taken captive and tortured by members of the community before being killed. Police attempted to intervene, but were threatened and outnumbered by the angry mob.
A widespread belief in witchcraft and cannibalism persists in the Pacific where many people do not accept natural causes as an explanation for misfortune and death. The death of these women is the latest story in a string of recent sorcery-related crimes. Just days prior, six women accused of sorcery were tortured in the Southern Highlands. Additionally, a woman accused of sorcery was killed last month. Amnesty International is urging the government to stamp out the practice in the Pacific nation.