Woman accused of witchcraft axed by group of men in Papua New Guinea

Killing someone for witchcraft is against the law in the area.

Despite a law against revenge killing for use of black magic, created in 2013, a woman has been axed by men in Papua New Guinea. Police are now searching for the men who committed the crime, according to the statement of a missionary who spoke with the authorities on Wednesday. However, the police have yet to issue an official statement regarding the killing.

MUNTINLUPA, PHILIPPINES (Catholic Online) - Identified as Mifila, the woman was one of four women, among 13 of their family members, who were accused of using black magic to spread measles in the Fiyawena, Enga province, resulting into deaths November last year, according to Anton Lutz, an American Lutheran missionary who grew up in the South Pacific country and leading a group in trying to save these women's lives together with the local police.

Papua New Guinea is among the top places classified as dangerous to live in for women, according to Human Rights Watch. Gender based violence is prevalent and women are so often accused of sorcery and witchcraft that, in 2013, a law was passed stating that revenge killing in accordance to the speculations is punishable by death.

"The villagers are still scared that the men will come back. It's still a tense situation for the community," said Lutz. According to the Telegraph UK, villagers told the missionary that Mifila was killed in front of her family by 10 men from the village across the river.

They were reportedly armed with homemade guns, axes and machetes and attacked two other women but only killed one.

The problem with the operation is that the village is hard to access. The police faces geographical disadvantages, as the area can only be reached by walking for several hours, if not landing in with a plane.

"It's deep jungle out there ... This is a big piece of jungle for people to hide in."

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