Australia could help stop PNG violence says judge

AAP

A LEADING judge says Australia could help Papua New Guinea stop the sorcery-related torture and killing of women.

Justice Catherine Davani told an International Women's Day lunch in Canberra of a spate of torturing and killing of women in PNG suspected of being sorcerers.

Last month, Kepari Leneiata, 20, a young mother who was also known as Angelin, was stripped, tortured with a hot iron poker and burned alive before a crowd of onlookers, including children.

They had accused her of using sorcery to kill a six year-old boy.

The murder triggered international outrage, with PNG prime minister Peter O'Neill joining the United Nations, the US and Australia in describing the crime as barbaric.

Justice Davani told the lunch on Friday that Australia could help.

"If AusAID were to assist the PNG government in curbing and alleviating the torturing and killing of women in PNG suspected of being sorcerers, then the suggestion is to assist enhanced investigating powers of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary," she said.

"Of course, the policemen can be trained on how to enact investigations."

"I believe very strongly that Australia will be making a major and very useful contribution toward the protection of women and women's lives if this were done for Papua New Guinea."

Comments

[Mrs Barbara Short]

I'm surprised that Justice Davani has suggested that AusAID should try to assist the PNG Constabulary in the improvement of their investigating powers into these deaths of people accused of sorcery.

I'm sure the Australian police do not have any great experience of this type of murder.

Many writers on PNG Attitude previously wrote about the complications involved in these so called "sorcery" killings.

I previously mentioned on PNG Attitude that I thought Justice Davani, herself, should have a good understanding of the problem and be able to come up with some possible solutions of her own.

I have just been on a long trip through various parts of NSW and Victoria and a number of people mentioned the horrible sorcery killings to me. They have certainly given some Australian people the idea that PNG is still the home of "primitive savages".

I notice that the comments of the PNG men condemn Justice Davani's comments while the women, Monica and Rosemary, don't. There still appears to be this problem between men and women in PNG. The men seem to be fearful of women who are able to speak out and stand up for themselves and for other women.

I just wish that AusAid could help PNG women who are facing these problems. Kialo, the shame had already been caused by the horrific public killing, with people just standing by and letting it happen. The story had appeared in the press long before Justice Davani spoke about it.

[Joe Wasia]

Monica - You better pull your socks up and so should Justice Davani.

What a shame is this when a top judge goes to another country seeking seeking help.

Ask your government to repeal, amend or alter the laws that govern sorcery.

If we have exhausted ourselves then we can call for external assistance. Without even trying is utter nonsense.

[Rosemary Kaiye]

This people who torture and kill women suspected of sorcery are inhuman because its against human rights to kill an individual.

So please, people who suspect poor women for doing sorcery, get your facts right before you act on it .

Papua New Guinea is a country with diverse cultures and beliefs, that's how people behave and act is according to their cultural backgrounds and how they were brought up.

Why is it so that women in PNG have to be victims of suspected sorcery and why not men? I have heard about and seen men practise sorcery.

It's not fair just to punish women, when in certain communities in the country accurding to their culture, men are the ones who take lead in such activities.

[Monica Jean George]

The imposition of the ideals of the judge is great.

These incidents happened right under the very noses of the vast majority of Papua New Guineans.

What did the citizens do? What did the authorities do? What happened to the people responsible for these lame acts?

Global criticism may attack but we can swallow our pride and learn from Australia, which is still helping us stand up slowly.

If we don't need their help, let's understand that we are independent but they are our backbone.They can improvise the to the situation thus we learn.

[Kialo Kui]

PNG is an independent country. Therefore any issues regarding PNG need to be solved within the nation and not expressing PNG issues and problems outside the country.

If we Papua New Guineans do that we bring shame to our nation.

In my opinion, what Justice Davani did was not right because what you did outside the country brought shame to the nation.

Please be mindful about your country and solve issues or problems before going out and introduce PNG to the whole world.

[Jerilee Diaram]

Papua New Guinea is a independent state, it has its own laws, rules and norms. The country has its own constitution, where all the written laws and regulations are in place.

Why don't we apply all those laws effectively? If sorcery and torture are is in the headlines of media everyday, then we have laws that are there to deal with them.

If we call for assisstance and aid from foreign nations then that clearly shows that our constitution is not effective. And that means the constitution cannot guide and protect us in the future.

We are independent and that means we can do everything on our own. Therefore there is no need to call on Australia for aid.

If we solve this issue today, then we are fit and ready to solve tougher ones in the future. So why don't the law enforcing agencies play their role? It is time that we all take responsibility.

[Ben Akuani]

Violence against women is a crime and should never be considered as a private matter.

Crimes of violence must be be dealt with accordingly.

Personal security issues are very important for women and girls and crucial to their participation as equal citizens in all spheres of life.

[Joe Wasia]

I think the call by Justice Davani has little or no value in it.

Papua New Guinea already has laws, regulations and law enforcing agencies as an independent state.

The issue of witch-killing and torturing can be minimised or stopped without Australia.

Can we do something ourselves instead of breastfeeding from foreign countries? And call them for help if we are exhausted.

Justice Davani should call on the PNG government for the amendment of the Acts governing sorcery practices in the country.

[Nathan Gabara]

When can we stand on our own and solve our own problems, unless the problem is to do with Australia.

Our government is looking into this problem, so you are unde estimating the law of this country.

So leave Australia alone and we can sort this out ourselves so when it is repeated we have a clear view of what to do.