Minister Bahati welcomes Bill to curb human sacrifice

The minister of state for planning David Bahati on Tuesday welcomed the passing of the Prevention and Prohibition of Human Sacrifice Bill, 2020, which provides for a death penalty for those convicted of human sacrifice.

The Bill was introduced to Parliament by Ayivu County MP Bernard Atiku in April 2020.

Bahati said over two million families had in the past been affected by human sacrifice worldwide.

“Human sacrifice anywhere is a danger to the human race. We condemn it and support legislation to curb it,” he said.

“Criminals involved in sacrificing and trafficking of human beings created in the image of God are shamefully reaping $30m annually,” the minister said, adding: “About 2.4 million people worldwide are affected by this evil and dark practice. Thanks to the 10th Parliament for considering this Bill.”

The Bill indicates that people who mutilate or cause the death of another person to perform a ritual, commits an offence and will be imprisoned for life and those who injure the victims in the act of sacrifice will be liable to imprisonment for 10 years.

For any person who unlawfully has in his or her possession human body parts, unlawfully uses human body parts for medicine or concoction, whether for sales associated with human sacrifice, commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to imprisonment for life.

The Bill also provides for the death penalty for anyone that finances another to commit offences of human sacrifice.

Other Members of Parliament said the Bill was timely and that the perpetrators deserve to face the same punishment as their victims.