Protect children against witchcraft accusations, report urges
Govts ‘turn blind eye’ to ritual attacks
According to the Legal Assistance Centre, allegations of witchcraft are involved in a surprisingly high number of Namibian cases.
Witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks against African children are hidden and ignored, yet are one of the most gruesome forms of violence against youngsters.
This is according to a new report that urges African governments to stamp out witchcraft accusations against children.
The new research from the African Child Policy Forum (ACPF) shows that every year, thousands of African children are accused of witchcraft and suffer ritual attacks, abuse and physical and psychological violence.
“Yet most governments are turning a blind eye,” the report said.
These forms of violence encompass a range of violations, including accusing children of witchcraft; the ritualised killing of children; mutilation to harvest body parts for magical medicines; infanticide, and mistreating children in the belief they need saving from evil spirits.
Serious violence
In a 2020 article, the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) wrote that there are a surprising number of results if one searches Namibian cases for mentions of witchcraft.
“Allegations of witchcraft are sometimes related to serious violence, including domestic violence,” it said.
“The Witchcraft Suppression Proclamation should be revised or replaced with a more modern law which addresses false allegations of witchcraft and exploitation of people in the guise of witchcraft – while clearly distinguishing legitimate traditional healing practices from malicious allegations, which can be used to try to control others, particularly women.
“And the public needs to be reminded that no such claim is a justification for violence,” the centre said. Dr Joan Nyanyuki, executive director of ACPF, said Africans have ignored this horrific violence for far too long.
“It is utterly unacceptable that witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks on children are still widespread across the continent. Governments must uncover this hidden shame and address these crimes and extreme forms of violence, which have life-threatening effects and often result in the death of innocent children,” she added.
Shrouded in secrecy
Nyanyuki said many countries’ laws do not explicitly prohibit accusations of witchcraft against a child, which in itself is an act of psychological violence.
“Worse still, beyond their failure to prevent these accusations and violent attacks, governments have also failed to minimise the harm children suffered when they fall victims,” the report read.
“Witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks are rooted deep in our African beliefs, culture and tradition, and are often shrouded in secrecy,” the executive director added.
“They remain one of the most elusive harmful practices challenging governments across the continent. Government authorities must focus on preventing witchcraft accusations if they are to succeed in uncovering this hidden shame.”
This is according to a new report that urges African governments to stamp out witchcraft accusations against children.
The new research from the African Child Policy Forum (ACPF) shows that every year, thousands of African children are accused of witchcraft and suffer ritual attacks, abuse and physical and psychological violence.
“Yet most governments are turning a blind eye,” the report said.
These forms of violence encompass a range of violations, including accusing children of witchcraft; the ritualised killing of children; mutilation to harvest body parts for magical medicines; infanticide, and mistreating children in the belief they need saving from evil spirits.
Serious violence
In a 2020 article, the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) wrote that there are a surprising number of results if one searches Namibian cases for mentions of witchcraft.
“Allegations of witchcraft are sometimes related to serious violence, including domestic violence,” it said.
“The Witchcraft Suppression Proclamation should be revised or replaced with a more modern law which addresses false allegations of witchcraft and exploitation of people in the guise of witchcraft – while clearly distinguishing legitimate traditional healing practices from malicious allegations, which can be used to try to control others, particularly women.
“And the public needs to be reminded that no such claim is a justification for violence,” the centre said. Dr Joan Nyanyuki, executive director of ACPF, said Africans have ignored this horrific violence for far too long.
“It is utterly unacceptable that witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks on children are still widespread across the continent. Governments must uncover this hidden shame and address these crimes and extreme forms of violence, which have life-threatening effects and often result in the death of innocent children,” she added.
Shrouded in secrecy
Nyanyuki said many countries’ laws do not explicitly prohibit accusations of witchcraft against a child, which in itself is an act of psychological violence.
“Worse still, beyond their failure to prevent these accusations and violent attacks, governments have also failed to minimise the harm children suffered when they fall victims,” the report read.
“Witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks are rooted deep in our African beliefs, culture and tradition, and are often shrouded in secrecy,” the executive director added.
“They remain one of the most elusive harmful practices challenging governments across the continent. Government authorities must focus on preventing witchcraft accusations if they are to succeed in uncovering this hidden shame.”
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article