Prime Minister Hon. James Marape has pledged his Government’s commitment to combating sorcery accusation-related violence (SARV) in Papua New Guinea, expressing support for funding the National Action Plan, establishing a coordinated secretariat and involving frontline organisations in efforts to protect victims and bring perpetrators to justice.
Prime Minister Marape gave the assurance in Parliament in response to questions without notice from Opposition Leader Hon. James Nomane, who called for urgent Government intervention to address what he described as one of the country’s gravest human rights crises.
Mr Nomane highlighted findings by the Australian National University recording 1,039 incidents involving 1,553 victims across four provinces over a four-year period, with more than 98 per cent of cases reportedly failing to reach the courts.
He questioned why the Sorcery Accusation-Related Violence National Action Plan, introduced in 2015, remained unfunded and largely unimplemented after 11 years.
The Opposition Leader sought the Prime Minister’s commitment to an initial K50 million allocation in the 2027 Development Budget, the establishment of a dedicated SARV Secretariat under the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council, and the inclusion of frontline organisations, including the Melanesian Institute, Tribal Foundation and churches.
Prime Minister Marape welcomed the questions, describing sorcery accusation-related violence as unacceptable and particularly devastating for vulnerable women and girls.
“I want to place on record my appreciation to the Opposition Leader for raising a very, very important question,” Prime Minister Marape said.
“This is unacceptable in 2026, as it was unacceptable in the past.”
The Prime Minister responded positively to all three proposals, acknowledging the need for stronger Government coordination, dedicated resources and greater involvement of organisations working directly with affected communities.
“All three of his questions can be done in the affirmative because it is necessary,” he said.
Prime Minister Marape assured Parliament that he would convene an early working meeting in his office involving relevant Government agencies and frontline stakeholders to determine practical steps towards implementing the National Action Plan.
“I give him and the country my assurance that at the very earliest time possible we will call a stakeholders meeting, not a massive meeting, but a work meeting in my office,” he said.
The Prime Minister also pointed to existing legislation criminalising sorcery accusations and related offences, stressing the importance of ensuring that these laws are effectively enforced.
He recalled earlier efforts to establish dedicated police reporting mechanisms for complaints involving women and other vulnerable victims, including cases of sorcery accusation-related violence.
Prime Minister Marape said the proposed meeting would bring together those working on the frontlines to review existing measures, strengthen coordination and determine how best to advance the national response.
The Government’s immediate priority will be to engage relevant stakeholders and translate existing legal and policy commitments into practical action to prevent violence, protect survivors and strengthen accountability.