ShortHand: Papua New Guinea's Black Magic Murders
Summary
This episode explores the epidemic of sorcery-related violence in Papua New Guinea, triggered by the 2013 murder of Kapari Lenyata. It details the abduction and torture of seven-year-old Lily, who was accused of black magic, and examines how poverty, lack of healthcare, and foreign investment fuel these witch hunts. The hosts discuss the failure of legal reforms and propose public autopsies as a method to dispel myths about unnatural deaths.
Topics discussed
The abduction and torture of seven-year-old Lily
Rise of sorcery-related violence since 2013
Papua New Guinea's culture, poverty, and isolation
Underreported statistics and lack of police presence
Village elders' power and the cycle of retribution
The 2013 murder of Lily's mother, Kapari
Lily's rescue and adoption by Ruth Kissam
Repeal of the 1971 Sorcery Act and its limitations
Spread of witch hunts from highlands to cities
Root causes: inequality, foreign investment, and migration
Sudden deaths, lack of healthcare, and paid accusations
Proposed solution: public autopsies to dispel myths
Impact of Chinese investment and lack of human rights conditions
Women's rights backlash and conclusion
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