Government Reports – All

New Hope for Survivors as they Celebrate Historic UN Resolution Condemning Harmful Practices Related to Accusations of Witchcraft and Ritual Attacks

New Hope for Survivors as they Celebrate Historic UN Resolution Condemning Harmful Practices Related to Accusations of Witchcraft and Ritual Attacks

Following 6 years of intensive advocacy by a coalition of survivors, NGOs, academics and lawyers, the UN Human Rights Council has passed a ground-breaking resolution, which “emphatically condemns harmful practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks that result in human rights violations.

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 27th July 2021

 

 

Women in Gambia Describe Torture After Ex-President Called Them Witches: New York Times

Gambia’s former president ordered people he accused of “witchcraft” to be kidnapped and tortured. The victims now plan to tell a truth commission what happened. See article here. 

The worst forms of child labor in Congo, 2011

The Government has several laws and regulations that address the worst forms of child labor. However, children continue to work in many worst forms, including as child soldiers and in agriculture and mining. Armed rebel groups and poorly integrated elements of the Congolese National Army continue to abduct and forcibly recruit children for armed conflict and sexual exploitation. There is no compulsory education requirement, and the Government does not have sufficient enforcement or social protection capacity to protect against exploitative child labor.

See full report here

Ghana – Operational guidance note, November 2013

This document provides Home Office caseworkers with guidance on the nature and handling of the most common types of claims received from nationals/residents of Ghana, including whether claims are or are not likely to justify the granting of asylum, Humanitarian Protection or Discretionary Leave. Caseworkers must refer to the relevant Asylum Instructions for further details of the policy on these areas.

See full report here

Four Q&A about Suspected Witchcraft in Nigeria, 1 June 2012

Questions:
1. Do Igbos in Nigeria believe in witchcraft?

2. Are there any reports of suspected witches being harmed in Anambra State? If so, by whom and in what ways?

3. Are there any reports of men in Nigeria being suspected of being witches?

4. What is the level of state protection for those suspected of being witches (and harmed or threatened by non-state actors)? 

See full report here

Briefing Paper European Parliament: Directorate-General For External Policies of the Union Directorate – Child Witchcraft Allegations and Human Rights

Despite the recording of child witchcraft allegations all over the world as human rights violations, the issue has received relatively little attention within human rights discourse from international organizations, academia or civil society. Child witchcraft accusations are a relatively recent phenomenon that is not among the traditional practices of the countries affected. The reasons why children have become the specific focus of child witchcraft accusations remain partially unclear. A number of general common features can help explain its emergence, including profound societal transformations, religious changes, the collapse of traditional institutions and social problems suffered by both children and adults. To address the phenomenon’s complexity, it is necessary to carefully investigate each specific local context in which the allegations occur and to consider the consequences of the practice by the affected children. To read full report here

Nepal: CEDAW 4th and 5th combined periodic reports

Nepal has submitted its Initial Report in 1997 and Second and Third Combined Report in 2003. This Fourth and Fifth Combined Periodic Report covers the period up to 2008. During this period Nepal has made significant progress in the sphere of protection to, promotion and fulfillment of the rights emanated from the CEDAW. Nepal has ratified Optional Protocol to the CEDAW. It has incorporated many significant provisions in the Interim Constitution of Nepal, 2007 and enacted many valuable legislations such as the Domestic Violence (Crime and Punishment) Act, the Human Trafficking and Transportation (Control) Act, National Women Commission Act, the Citizenship Act, An Act to Amend some Nepalese Acts to Maintain Gender Equalities, An Act to Amend some Nepalese Acts relating to the Court Management and Administration of Justice and 11th Amendment of the Country Code. Accordingly many rules are framed and plans, action plans and programmes are being implemented. To read full report click here

Nepal: A Study on Gender-Based Violence Conducted in Selected Rural Districts of Nepal

Violence Against Women occurs in all societies and at any stage of a woman’s lifecycle. It can even occur before a girl is born through sexselective abortion and menace women throughout their old age. Some types of VAW such as sexual violence and domestic violence, occur in all cultures, although they are more common in some than others. Girls and women in Nepal are exposed to a variety of forms of violence, many of which are suffered by women globally, and others that are seen more commonly in Nepal than elsewhere. The latter includes punishment for witchcraft (Boxi). To read more click here

Nigeria: Prevalence of ritual murder and human sacrifice; police and state response (2009-2012)

Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada publication. Read report here 

UK. Government Launches National Action Plan to Tackle Child Abuse Linked To Faith and Belief

The Department for Education released this national action plan to help raise awareness of the issue of child abuse linked to faith or belief and to encourage practical steps to be taken to prevent such abuse. It has been developed through partnership on the National Working Group between central government and local statutory partners, faith leaders, voluntary sector organisations and the Metropolitan Police. See full details here 

This is widgetised area:
Global Sidebar