Every year, countless individuals across the globe fall victim to witchcraft accusations, often facing devastating and fatal consequences. Despite international legal frameworks aimed at combating these harmful practices, the reality remains that legislation designed to address witchcraft-related abuses is infrequently applied in practice. New comprehensive research co-authored by experts from Lancaster University and the Australian National University reveals a paradox: although legal mechanisms exist in many countries, their enforcement is sporadic and insufficient to disrupt the cycle of violence and discrimination linked to witchcraft accusations.
The global review identified fifteen countries with specific legislative provisions intended to curb harmful practices associated with witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks. These jurisdictions vary widely in their legal approaches, with some implementing targeted laws while others rely on broader criminal statutes to address the same issues. The study highlights a concerning gap between legislative intent and judicial application, noting that only nine of the analyzed countries had actively prosecuted cases under these legal frameworks. This mismatch underscores the complexity inherent in translating legal reforms into meaningful protections for vulnerable populations.
At the heart of the problem lies the deeply entrenched social and cultural dimensions of witchcraft belief. These beliefs often inform legal and judicial processes in ways that confound straightforward prosecution. Courts, legal systems, and media entities frequently obscure witchcraft-related elements by subsuming them under general criminal charges such as murder. This practice hampers effective data collection and renders it challenging to monitor patterns of abuse or evaluate the efficacy of existing laws. Moreover, an alarming trend persists in some countries where belief in witchcraft is wielded as a mitigating factor, complicating efforts to hold perpetrators accountable.
Witchcraft accusations disproportionately affect marginalized groups, including widowed and divorced women, children, persons living with disabilities, and individuals with albinism. These populations often reside in isolated or protected communities, such as the so-called “witch camps” in Ghana’s Northern Region. Here, accused women seek refuge amidst social rejection but risk becoming trapped by stigma and limited socioeconomic opportunities. The research illumines the dire human rights abuses that witchcraft allegations precipitate, including torture, mutilation, banishment, and extrajudicial killings, which persist despite international condemnation.
The international legal landscape is evolving, marked notably by the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Resolution 47/8, adopted in 2021. This resolution explicitly calls for the elimination of harmful practices relating to witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks. In response, various nations have undertaken legislative reforms, repealing outdated colonial-era statutes and enacting new laws aimed at prevention and prosecution. Yet, enactment alone has proven insufficient to engender substantive change. The research argues convincingly that legislation, while necessary, must be embedded within broader systemic strategies to dismantle the social dynamics enabling such abuses.
A critical examination of these legal frameworks reveals nuanced differences in approach. Some states have introduced specialized laws targeting individuals who exploit witchcraft belief systems, such as diviners and ‘witch doctors,’ particularly when these practices impose psychological fear or financial exploitation. Others continue to rely on general criminal laws to prosecute ritualistic harm without explicit reference to the cultural contexts underlying the crimes. This disjunction between law and local belief systems highlights the challenges of legislating in contexts where traditional and modern legal norms intersect and sometimes conflict.
One of the report’s most salient findings concerns the judicial system’s treatment of witchcraft-related cases. By failing to explicitly recognize belief in witchcraft as a driving factor, courts obscure the unique social mechanics involved, which undermines victim protection and impedes targeted policy development. Additionally, the media’s tendency to overlook or underreport such cases further diminishes public awareness and political pressure for reform. Without precise acknowledgment of the witchcraft context, interventions remain generic and ill-suited to address the root causes.
The report advocates for comprehensive, victim-centered legal frameworks that go beyond punitive measures. These frameworks must incorporate mechanisms for rehabilitation, judicial and law enforcement training, and robust systems of accountability to confront institutional inertia and corruption. Importantly, the report calls for the exclusion of the death penalty in sentencing to align with human rights standards, emphasizing restorative justice over retribution. Educational initiatives at the community level are equally essential to shift entrenched beliefs and reduce stigma.
Political will and adequate resources form the keystone of otherwise theoretical reforms. Without substantial commitment from governments and international bodies, legislation risks being symbolic rather than transformative. The report warns that partial or superficial measures may perpetuate the current cycle of impunity, enabling continued violations of the rights of vulnerable individuals accused of witchcraft.
Charlotte Baker, a key co-author of the study and Professor of French and Critical Disability Studies at Lancaster University, underscores the dual necessity of legal reform and cultural change. She affirms that while legislation plays a critical role in combating witchcraft-related human rights abuses, it must be complemented by sustained efforts to alter societal attitudes and everyday behaviors. This integrated approach is vital to safeguarding marginalized groups who face systemic discrimination and violence.
At the launch event held in London’s Doughty Street Chambers, leading figures from human rights law, international advocacy, and survivor communities convened to discuss the implications of the research. Notable speakers included Kirsty Brimelow KC, an international human rights barrister, Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond, the UN Independent Expert on Albinism, alongside Professor Baker and Mardoche Yembi, a survivor of witchcraft accusation. Their participation highlights the intersectional nature of this issue, which spans legal, social, and health domains.
The research team responsible for this seminal work brings diverse expertise and insight to bear. Miranda Forsyth, Director of the International Network Against Witchcraft Accusations and Ritual Attacks and professor at the Australian National University, collaborates with Biobele Danagogo, a research assistant and PhD candidate at Lancaster University, alongside Charlotte Baker, also a Director of the International Network and professor at Lancaster. Their joint work marks an important interdisciplinary contribution, blending social sciences, law, and human rights scholarship to illuminate a largely under-researched global human rights crisis.
In conclusion, this global review calls for a paradigm shift in addressing harmful witchcraft-related practices. Legislative measures represent a critical but insufficient step. Only through comprehensive frameworks combining legal, educational, and community-based strategies, underpinned by political commitment and resourcing, can societies hope to dismantle the enduring violence and discrimination faced by those accused of witchcraft. As this research demonstrates, the fight against witchcraft-related abuses is fundamentally a fight for human rights, dignity, and justice.
Subject of Research: Harmful Practices Related to Witchcraft Accusations and Ritual Attacks
Article Title: Legislative Approaches to Addressing Harmful Practices Related To Witchcraft Accusations and Ritual Attacks: A Global Review
News Publication Date: June 30, 2024
Web References: https://www.theinternationalnetwork.org/
Image Credits: Rural Women & Youth Empowerment for Development Agency – RUWYEDA
Keywords: Legislation, Anthropology, Legal system, Human rights, Witchcraft accusations, Ritual attacks, Vulnerable populations, Law enforcement, United Nations Human Rights Council, Social change, Rehabilitation, Witch camps
