Understanding Witchcraft and Human Rights: Workshop Outcomes and Perspectives
Explore how witchcraft beliefs impact individuals and communities, leading to harmful practices like attacks, human trafficking, and more. Learn about the global phenomenon of witchcraft, the need to challenge harmful beliefs, and the importance of human rights in addressing these issues.
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UN Expert workshop Witchcraft and human rights 21 & 22 September 2017 Palais Wilson, Geneva Preliminary outcomes
Manifestations of Witchcraft How have witchcraft beliefs impacted you/groups you represent? Attacks and mutilation Family, community and Church Human trafficking Explanation of misfortune and natural disasters (flooding and climate change) Human sacrifice End of marriage and Ill treatment by family against children
What is witchcraft? What does witchcraft include or encompass? Use of an umbrella definition at the international level that cover the plurality of manifestations of witchcraft, with a focus on harmful practices and States obligations as defined by international human rights law Be aware of the practical consequences of language Need for a nuanced approach to beliefs Need for focusing on harm not on beliefs Need for challenging beliefs
What does witchcraft encompass? Deeply rooted reality, engrained in societies System of explanation/exploitaton of misfortune Beliefs in supernatural powers A global phenomenon criminal enterprise Part of a wider system of oppression Misconception of public health issue
Harmful practices Violence against women and due diligence Right to life - firm and immediate action Hate crime (illness&deaths) Duty to prevent CRC/CEDAW provisions Human trafficking
Civil society perspectives Witchcraft accusations on the rise Witchcraft beliefs need to be challenged in addition to focusing on human rights violations State needs to take seriously these issues Training to police officers Civil society campaign More research with academics Preventive measures Recognition of witchcraft accusation as harmful traditional practices
Ritual Attacks and Killings Children particularly vulnerable and need for children safeguarding and early interventions to tackle risks (prevention) Ritual killing of persons with albinism is extreme violence resulting from witchcraft Primary motivation of ritual killing is material gains
Solutions (I) A range of good practices and recommendations: a comprehensive and multilevel response Respect international, national and local leaders Education and awareness campaign Participatory research Vigilance committee Prosecution and access to justice health awareness and in medical Legislative and institutional measures
Solutions (II) A range of good practices and recommendations: a comprehensive and multilevel response Data collection and monitoring Official record of birth and death Faith leaders need to address the issue States to undertake quick investigation and prosecution Increase budget for the judiciary
Solutions (III) A range of good practices and recommendations: a comprehensive and multilevel response Gov. initiate review and amendments of law, including witchcraft Act that reflect human rights standards Gov. awareness raising Gov. national plan to end the discrimination Gov. - Use the Regional Action Plan of Action on persons with albinism as a framework of action Gov. Build capacities and undertake training of the judiciary and law enforcement agencies Gov. . Should prohibit advertisement of witchcraft in the media
Solutions (IV) A range of good practices and recommendations: a comprehensive and multilevel response Regulation on religious activities NHRI, Policie and Civil Society campaign to dismantle myths that promote crime Ensure participation of those concerned
The Way Forward Global movement Address the beliefs and motivation behind witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks UN resolution on witchcraft and human rights to prompt international response International fund to be established at the UN Make use of the SDG agenda leave no one behind, starting with the furthest behind first Further engage regional mechanisms, in particular in Africa
