Work is already underway to develop a national response to violence and sorcery accusations.
The Australian Government fundedthe 3 days’ workshop in Goroka that brought togther different stakeholders fromthe public and private sectors.
It was led bythe Department of Justice and Attorney General, Dr. Lawrence Kalinoe, andthe Consultative Implementation and Monitoring Council.
The aim ofthe meeting was to draw up recommendations as to how best current escalating violence relating to sorcery can be addressed.
Dr. Kalinoe, saidthe government is committed to addressing this issue.
The government has approachedthe issue by repealingthe Sorcery Act and amendingthe criminal code, and will supportthe recommendations fromthe workshop.
He pointed outthe fact thatolaws can be introduced, but implementation isthe greatest challenge for all stakeholders to face.
He gave examples of how cases relating to sorcery cannot be addressed if enforcers hold on totheir customary beliefs.
Dr. Kalinoe believes perpetrators of sorcery violence and killings should facethe ultimate criminal penalty available underthe law, which isthe death penalty.
The working committee is now putting togtherthe recommendations for a submission to cabinet in 2014.