INAWARA (International Network Against Witchcraft Accusation and Ritual Attacks)

Lancaster University

Who would you like to contact?

  • Charlotte Baker
    Academic, Director

  • Miranda Forsyth
    Academic, Director

  • Problem

    We fully support the right to freedom of religion and recognize that beliefs in witchcraft and sorcery can have positive aspects. However, our mission centers solely on addressing practices related to belief in witchcraft and sorcery that cause harm to individuals and communities, such as attacks, torture, killings, and stigmatization. We use the terms witchcraft and sorcery as general categories to include all the terms used across the world to describe the belief that a person has the power to cause harm using supernatural means.

    Solution

    INAWARA seeks to raise awareness about the human rights abuses taking place as a result of beliefs in witchcraft or sorcery and encourage action by states and individuals to end them.

    We connect different groups and efforts across the world that seek to raise awareness about human rights abuses arising out of beliefs in witchcraft or sorcery.

    We encourage governments, organisations and individuals in all countries to take action against these abuses.

    We raise awareness and garner support for the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Resolution on the Elimination of Harmful Practices Related to Accusations of Witchcraft and Ritual Attack (2021).

    Sustainable Development Goals addressed

    Some facts:

    10 August is World Day Against Witch Hunts.

    Website

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