Papua New Guinea leaders have condemned the torture of a child accused of sorcery in Enga province.
This follows another spate of incidents in the Highlands province where people accused of sorcery have been tortured and abused.
A hut in the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
Last week in Enga, a six-year-old girl was rescued by the PNG Tribal Foundation after being accused of using sorcery and tortured by several men in the Sirunki area.
The child is now receiving medical attention for wounds and burns sustained all over her body from bush knives heated by fire.
The prime minister Peter O'Neill has expressed outrage on behalf of the nation over this case.
He said police had been dispatched to investigate the abuse, and that any individual who tried to impede the lawful investigation would be arrested.
"The men behind these murders are cowards who are looking for someone to blame because of their own failure in life," said the prime minister.
"These violent acts are against our values as a nation and are completely unacceptable."
According to Enga's governor, Sir Peter Ipatas, more than 20 women had been victims of the accusation-based violence in Enga in the past month.
He and the prime minister condemned false accusations of sorcery, with Mr O'Neill saying sorcery beliefs were "absolute rubbish".
Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill gives a talk at the Lowy Institute in Sydney on May 14, 2015. Photo: AFP/Peter Parks
The Prime Minister said the attacks could not be tolerated and that the abusers must be exposed.
He said this required leadership from community elders.
"In the modern day sanguma is not a real cultural practice, it is false belief and involves the violent abuse and torture of women and girls by pathetic and perverted individuals," said Mr O'Neill.
"In the case of the young girl who was recently attacked in Enga, we are grateful for the brave people who gave her first aid and took her to a safe location."
