The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council has passed a resolution condemning accusations of witchcraft, rituals and other harmful traditions that result in human rights violations in Nigeria and other parts of the world.
This followed six years of advocacy by a coalition of survivors, non-governmental organisations , academics, lawyers and journalists against rituals and other harmful cultural practices in the country.
In a statement issued yesterday in Calabar, Director of Witchcraft and Human Rights Information Network , Gary Foxcroft, said UN Independent Expert on Enjoyment of Human Rights by Persons With Albinism, Ikponwosa Ero, confirmed the resolution.It explained that survivors of the harmful practices expressed delight and optimism at the news that the development might bring about the end of some of the human rights abuses.
“These include, but are not limited to, killings, mutilation, exploitation and sale of persons, vital organs and body parts, burnings, grave robberies, torture and stigmatisation of victims and their family members,” the statement reads. Corroborating Foxcroft, Dr. Charlotte Baker said: “Reported data shows that in the last decade, there have been at least 20,000 victims of these harmful practices in 50 countries and six continents. The victims have faced extreme human rights violations, including loss of life, limbs and property. Today marks an important step towards delivering justice for them and preventing more abuses”.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Nigeria committed to border demarcation with Cameroon – Malami | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World NewsThe Attorney- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, says the Federal Government is committed to finalisation of the boundary demarcation exercise between Nigeria and Cameroun.
Read more »
Fela the Spirit @ 24 | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World NewsLet’s just begin by stating that Fela the Spirit transformed into a higher spirit on this day 24 years ago.
Read more »
West African stakeholders embrace universality of Internet | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World NewsStakeholders in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector in West Africa have agreed to embrace the universality of the Internet with the aim of deepening penetration...
Read more »
Tension in Zambia ahead of tightly-fought vote | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World NewsTension is rising in Zambia ahead of presidential elections next week, prompting an unprecedented deployment of the military to clamp down on violence.
Read more »
Experts advocate improved fiscal, governance outlook of PIB | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World NewsProfessor Emeritus in Petroleum Economics and Policy Research, Wumi Iledare and the President, Association for Energy Economics (NAEE), Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, have highlighted the fiscal...
Read more »
At NICO’s roundtable, experts canvass practitioners’ patriotism | The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World NewsIf Nigerians focus on those things that unite them rather than things that divide, national cohesion would be easily achieved.
Read more »