Event Details

This exhibition aims to make visible the human rights abuses associated with accusations of witchcraft and associated harmful practices.

Over the last few decades, more than 20,000 people around the world have been the victims of accusations of witchcraft, associated harmful practices, and ritual attacks. Many such accusations have led to serious violations of human rights, ranging from discrimination and banishment to physical violence such as beatings, burnings, the cutting of body parts, and torture. Thousands have been killed. Women, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities are particularly vulnerable.

In July 2021, the United Nations Human Rights Council passed Resolution A/HRC/47/8 on the Elimination of Harmful Practices Related to Accusations of Witchcraft and Ritual Attack. The Resolution recognises the severity of this issue and invites states and civil society to respond. The title of the Resolution is important. It shows clearly that the resolution is not aimed at the belief in witchcraft per se, but rather at harmful manifestations of such beliefs.

This exhibition aims to make visible the human rights abuses associated with accusations of witchcraft and associated harmful practices. The photographs in the exhibition include the winning images from a photographic competition organised by The International Network against Accusations of Witchcraft and Associated Harmful Practices, and a selection of images contributed by photographer internationally.

The exhibition will be launched on 19th September and hosted in the Peter Scott Gallery at Lancaster University, before travelling to several locations globally over the next few years, including in Australia, India, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea and the USA.