Elimination of harmful practices related to accusations of witchcraft
and ritual attacks
On July 12, 2021, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted Resolution 47/8 Elimination of harmful practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks. This landmark resolution calls upon UN member states to “take all measures necessary to ensure the elimination of harmful practices amounting to human rights violations related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks, and to ensure accountability and the effective protection of all persons, particularly persons in vulnerable situations.”
What UN HRC Resolution 47/8 encourages states to do
After recalling the many international accords which protect human rights and condemn harmful practices, the resolution:
- Urges States to condemn harmful practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks that result in human rights violations;
- Also urges States to take all measures necessary to ensure the elimination of harmful practices amounting to human rights violations related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks, and to ensure accountability and the effective protection of all persons, particularly persons in vulnerable situations;
- Calls upon States to ensure that no one within their jurisdiction is deprived of the right to life, liberty or security of person because of religion or belief, and that no one is subjected to torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, or arbitrary arrest or detention on that account, and to bring to justice all perpetrators of violations and abuses of these rights in compliance with applicable international law;
- Invites States, in collaboration with relevant regional and international organizations, to promote bilateral, regional and international initiatives to support the protection of all persons vulnerable to harmful practices amounting to human rights violations related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks, while noting that, in providing protection, attention to local context is critical;
- Also invites States to draw attention to this issue in the context of the universal periodic review;
- Emphasizes that States should carefully distinguish between harmful practices amounting to human rights violations related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks and the lawful and legitimate exercise of different kinds of religion or beliefs, in order to preserve the right to freely manifest a religion or a belief, individually or in a community with others, including for persons belonging to religious minorities;
- Encourages human rights mechanisms, including relevant special procedures of the Human Rights Council and treaty bodies, to compile and share information on harmful practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks and their impact on the enjoyment of human rights;
- Requests the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to organize an expert consultation with States and other relevant stakeholders, including the United Nations Secretariat and relevant bodies, representatives of subregional and regional organizations, international human rights mechanisms, national human rights institutions and non-governmental organizations, the results of which will help the Office of the High Commissioner to prepare a study on the situation of the violations and abuses of human rights rooted in harmful practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks, as well as stigmatization, and to inform further action by existing mechanisms at the United Nations, and to submit a report thereon to the Human Rights Council at its fifty-second session;
- Decides to remain seized of the matter.
End Witch Hunts is committed to the implementation of 47/8 and encourages leaders to take the actions outlined in the resolution. No belief should lead to violence, ostracization, or stigmatization.