By Michèle Eken
Amnesty International
29 July 2025

Location: Ghana

Most women accused of practising witchcraft in Ghana are older women. Family members avoid them, while it is also too often the case that family members were those accusing the women of witchcraft. Often ‘soothsayers’ are involved in diagnosing malevolent intent, scapegoated for the real reasons lying behind accusations - a lack of resources and illnesses. The majority of accused women end up in camps run by traditional priests, adrift from family and community. Over 500 women are in the camps, in need of help, food and clean water.  

By Express News Service
The New Indian Express
28 July 2025

Location: India

A 59-year-old man, K Panchanan, was accused of practising sorcery after a young girl in the village fell ill and was treated by a village quack. Living alone and following goddess worship practices, the girl’s family accused him of using witchcraft. He was tied up and beaten. Village elders intervened and he was released. He reported the attack to the police, who took him to hospital to recover. Four people have been detained for allegedly torturing him.

By Salil Tiwari
Law Beat
27 July 2025

Location: India

The Calcutta High Court commuted the death sentence of Radha Kanta Bera to life imprisonment, citing his mental heath issues and socio-economic circumstances. In 2017, he had attacked and beheaded his 65-year-old grandmother after accusing her of being a witch.

By Poonam Masih
Twocircles.net
26 July 2025

Location: India

Across India’s tribal villages, women continue to be hunted and killed as witches, while families watch in silence, fear or grief. A survivor of a witchcraft accusation herself, social activist Chutni Mahato now visits many villages to educate people. She says that ‘Branding women as witches should never be part of our culture. But even after years of effort, women still come to me with their pain’.

By Veep
Ghanaian Times
24 July 2025

Location: Ghana

 The Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has pledged support for the passage of the Anti-Witchcraft Bill to help tackle accusations and abuse lev­elled against women. She has made it clear that witchcraft accusations and the existence of witch camps is a national crisis in need of urgent attention.

By Peacefmonline.com
24 July 2025

Location: Ghana

The government will introduce a new Anti-Witchcraft Accusation Bill after the earlier one passed by the eighth Parliament had expired with the life of the previous Parliament without a Presidential assent. MPs sponsoring the bill are seeking for it to be passed under a certificate of urgency.

(Image is a depiction and does not show real persons)

By Becca Milfeld
Wyoming News Now
24 July 2025

Location: Gambia

Hundreds of people, many elderly women, were accused of practising witchcraft during the dictatorship of Yahya Jammeh in the years 2008-2009. And although this is many years ago now, the victims have long-lasting psychological and social scars that continue to endure, affecting the victims, their families and their communities.

By Marion Kithi
The Standard
23 July 2025

Location: Kenya

Following ‘mysterious’ deaths in the local neighbourhood, an elderly man Mr Baraza Kitsao, was attacked and hacked to death in Mwenge village, suspected by the attackers of engaging in witchcraft. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Patrick Meso, condemned the attacks and those responsible had not been caught. This took place in an area where many people do not have title deeds to their land, which has resulted in many elderly people being targeted as witches, in order to get the land.

Note: News site may be slow to open.

By Deccan Herald
22 July 2025

Location: India

A sixty-year-old widow was assaulted by a group of villagers in Jharkhand's Hazaribag district for allegedly practising witchcraft. The villagers called a witch doctor (‘ojha’) who branded the woman as a ‘witch’ and forced her to eat herbs and admit she was practising witchcraft. Her head was shaved and she was paraded in the village. On informing the police, she said that they were after her property.

By Leo Igwe
The Nation
21 July 2025

Location: Nigeria

A call to make witch hunting history, to have ‘Africans reorient their minds and end the trial and persecution of alleged witches’. The Kano convention is a chance to recall failures and missteps that caused and sustain this menace and stress the duty to put a stop to this miscarriage of justice right here and now.

By Postcourieronline
17 July 2025

Location: Papua New Guinea

A suspect who was allegedly involved in the torture of an elderly man and setting fire to houses after accusing him of practising witchcraft has been re-arrested after being let out on bail. He had failed to appear in court for several months despite being arrested and charged. Tribal Foundation has been funding the re-arrest of several perpetrators let out on bail, including those who should not have been given bail.

By Mbale
The Hindu
17 July 2025

Location: Africa

This article presents an insightful overview of the murky interface between witch doctors and politicians, superstitions over evil spells, spiritual warfare amongst politicians, and the problems arising when vehement spiritual beliefs get mixed with politics in various African countries.

By Mohammed Fugu
Graphic Online
15 July 2025

Location: Ghana

A 70-year-old woman, Noab Bilatukin, was accused of witchcraft and killed. Suspects allegedly accused the deceased of casting spells in the community of Sangbaban, a farming district. After accusing her, they attacked and violently lynched her, then fled the scene. Four suspects have been arrested, others are on the run.

By Richard Ewart
ABC Pacific Beat
14 July 2025

Location: Papua New Guinea

The Catholic Bishop of Mendi, Don Lippert, warns that violence linked to witchcraft accusations is rising in Papua New Guinea, condemning political leaders for inaction. Following brutal killings of a woman and a man accused of witchcraft - videos of which sparked outrage on social media - he criticises the lack of justice, as most perpetrators go unpunished. Discover why urgent action is needed to end this violence.

(5-minute audio)

By Aly Abich
Citizen Digital
14 July 2025

Location: Kenya

Tensions soared in Nyawalongo village after a mob torched a family’s home, accusing them of witchcraft following the mysterious disappearance of a five-year-old boy. The villagers, angry over the suspect’s statements during the search, set fire to four houses, including those of his wives and children.

By Ruby Sadikman
The Jerusalem Post
13 July 2025

Location: India

Five members of a family were murdered in the Purnea district of Bihar. eastern India. They had been accused of practising witchcraft and causing various deaths in the local village of Tetgama. They had been attacked in their family home by over 50 villagers, who beat them, burned them to death, then buried them in a pond. At the time of reporting, police had arrested three people.

By Iniabasi Umo
Daily Trust
11 July 2025

Location: Uyo, Nigeria

The Akwa Ibom State High Court has sentenced a 29-year-old man, Akaninyene Thomas Okpon, to death by hanging for the murder of his elder brother, Friday Thomas Enyenokpon, whom he accused of witchcraft and of being responsible for Akaninyene’s misfortunes.

Please see INWARA’s Statement on the Use of the Death Penalty.

By Andrew Mathieson
National Indigenous Times
11 July 2025

Location: Papua New Guinea

In Hela province, a mother of six children was after being accused of 'sorcery' in the New Guinea Highlands. Some accused her of being responsible for her husband’s death. His immediate family allegedly tortured her by tying her to a post and repeatedly burning over two nights. They later shot her dead.

By Adam Hartman
Namibian Sun
11 July 2025

Location: Namibia

A Namibian human rights activist urges urgent reform of the 91-year-old witchcraft law, which he says fails to protect vulnerable people from stigma, violence and exploitation. Berrie Holtzhausen highlights that outdated laws turn accusations into tools of violence and economic abuse, especially targeting the elderly, those with dementia, and persons with disabilities. Read on to see why reform is crucial to protect human rights and end witchcraft accusation-related violence.

By Doreen Ajiambo
OSV News
10 July 2025

Location: Kenya

The elderly, and especially widows, are often targeted by a wave of violence fuelled by superstition and greed. They are attacked, displaced and even killed as a result of being accused of witchcraft. This is often done to take their land and goods. It is a form of gender-based violence that targets vulnerable women under the guise of tradition. Over 160 people are dead and thousands displaced as a result of this wave of violence.

By Kshitiz
The Times of India
08 July 2025

Location: India

Five members of a family were killed in a suspected witch hunting case, with around 50 villagers mob attacking the family and burning them alive. This story is told by the sole survivor, 15 year-old.

(Image is a depiction, not a real person.)

By Miriam Zarriga
Post-Courier
07 July 2025

Location: Papua New Guinea

Rosa Yakapus, a 45-year-old mother of five children, was tortured and the following day, shot point blank on Wage Bridge in Magarima, Hela Province. After the death of her husband, she was accused by the attackers of practising sorcery (sanguma). Hela Police Commander stated: “These are not cultural beliefs - they are abominations. Murder is murder, no matter your so-called “beliefs”. Police will use all available resources to bring these individuals to justice.’

By CBS/AFP
CBS News
02 July 2025

Location: Burundi

A militia in Burundi accused six people of practising witchcraft. The militia members burned victims alive, stoned them and some were beaten. Witnesses spoke about the accusations as having been made by members of the ruling party's powerful youth movement, known as the Imbonerakure. The provincial governor has denounced the ‘unacceptable mob violence’ and 12 people have been arrested over the incident.

By Natasha Philip
The Post-Courier
01 July 2025

Location: Papua New Guinea

Leaders from the Christian community came together at the Melanesian Institute for the Church Advocacy Workshop to discuss the ongoing issue of sorcery accusation-related violence and called for justice, healing and long-term change. The workshop aimed to be a platform to encourage unity, resilience and constructive dialogue ahead of the nation’s 50th Independence anniversary.

By Scott Waide
RNZ
25 June 2025

Location: Papua New Guinea

Angela Apa heads an organisation called Kup Women for Peace (KWP),an organisation seeking change in Papua New Guinea's Simbu Province. KWP serves as a beacon of hope for women survivors of sorcery accusation-related violence and tribal conflicts. Since 2000, it has rescued over 200 women survivors. In this article featuring Angela, she talks about how violence affects the whole community and KWP’s strong rapid response systems to address violence related to social accusations.

By Aseneth Waide
PNG Haus Bung
20 June 2025

Location: India

The lack of death certificates and proper medical records is a major cause of misunderstandings about the real causes of deaths. This can result in claims of sorcery, leading in some cases to the death of those accused. Medical knowledge is crucial to break the cycle of violence.

By Post-Courier Contributor
Post-Courier
19 June 2025

Location: Papua New Guinea

Discover the inspiring efforts of Caritas Simbu in their fight against violence and their commitment to building peace and hope in communities. This uplifting story highlights how compassion, faith and community action can bring positive change, empowering people to create safer, more hopeful futures. An inspiring journey of resilience and the power of collective kindness.

By Elizaveta Chukharova
OC Media
19 June 2025

Location: Chechnya

This news story sheds light on the troubling case of a woman in Chechnya publicly accused of witchcraft, the third woman in in several months to be subjected to televised ‘re-education’. The TV presenter said that ‘the republic’s leadership will not stop until the number of witches approaches zero’, highlighting a worrying trend.

By The Times in India
18 June 2025

Location: India

After several family members kept falling ill, the father-in-law of 35 year-old Mogro Munda accused her of practising sorcery. He and other family members hired contract killers who murdered her. Police arrested the father-in-law, other family members, and the contract killers.

By Ntombikayise Letlepo
Benoni City Times
18 June 2025

Location: South Africa

An elderly woman with dementia wandered away from home late and night and was reportedly accused of witchcraft. She was killed and an inquest has been opened to determine what happened to her.

By Farhiya Hussein
The Eastleigh Voice
16 June 2025

Location: Kenya

This story discusses the alarming rise in elder murders along Kenya's coast, driven by harmful beliefs. As part of Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a coastal human rights group is fighting what they call a ‘silent crisis fueled by harmful beliefs and neglect’, with at least 89 older people in Kifili and Kwale counties murdered between 2023 and 2025, often resulting from witchcraft accusations.

By Dr Hana Saada
Dzair Tube
14 June 2025

Location: Algeria

This tragic incident highlights how societal ignorance and misinformation can lead to dangerous moral lynching. The victim, reciting Qur’anic verses in French due to language barriers, was falsely accused of practising witchcraft—an accusation rooted in misunderstanding. Her actions were misconstrued, fuelling false portrayals and verbal abuse, which escalated into cyber harassment and public defamation. Such cases exemplify the peril of misinformation and the destructive power of social cruelty, where innocent individuals are unjustly persecuted based on fear and ignorance. Authorities condemned the violence and have begun legal proceedings against those responsible.

By Pinak Pani Chowdhury
Millennium Post
14 June 2025

Location: India

This distressing incident from South Dinajpur highlights the dangerous consequences of superstition and mob justice. Four members of a family were violently attacked and subjected to inhumane treatment after false accusations of witchcraft, fuelled by fear and misinformation. The story underscores the urgent need to protect individuals from violence rooted in superstition and to promote awareness of human rights and justice.

By RNZ Pacific
13 June 2025

Location: Papua New Guinea

Exciting developments are underway in Bougainville as the legal department works towards establishing a dedicated policy to address sorcery-related violence. This proactive initiative reflects a commitment to promoting justice, safety and social harmony within the community. By tackling this complex issue head-on, Bougainville is taking meaningful steps toward protecting its people and fostering a more peaceful future.

By Shubhomoy Sikdar
The Hindu
12 June 2025

Location: India

Twenty-one individuals were booked for brutally assaulting and stripping three men over witchcraft allegations in Raipur.

By Yerlan Iskakov
Kursiv Media
09 June 2025

Location: Central Asia

Recent events dispel any notions that witchcraft accusations are behind us. In Tajikistan, for example, four women were detailed in late May on charges of fortune-telling and sorcery. They face penalties under the country’s Code of Administrative Offenses for witchcraft and fortune-telling.

By The Times of India
09 June 2025

Location: India

Two people were arrested in Daltonganj for orchestrating the murder of a 55 year-old woman. Bimla Devi was shot in her sleep at her house as her husband slept. He woke up to see his wife in her dying moments. Another villager had hired a contract killer as he suspected she had been practising witchcraft. The accuser and some of the killers were arrested.

By Doreen Ajiambo
Global Sisters Report
09 June 2025

Location: Kenya

This is one story in the Global Sisters Report's yearlong series, "Out of the Shadows: Confronting Violence Against Women. It looks at how Catholic sisters are responding to the global phenomenon of witchcraft accusations. This one looks at how older people, especially widows, are affected by witchcraft accusations on the coastal region of Kenya.

By TNN
The Times of India
06 June 2025

Location: India

A 65-year old woman was shot dead by a man with a prolonged illness, which he blamed on her practising witchcraft. Onlookers grabbed him after the incident and turned him over to the police.

By Elizaveta Chukharova
OC Media
03 June 2025

Location: Chechnya

In Chechnya, 70-year-old Alkan Tsukaeva has been suspected of practising the occult. Her home was searched, and items believed to be linked to magical practices - candles, alcohol (despite a ban), notebooks with Arabic and Cyrillic writing, and symbols - were confiscated. While Tsukaeva explained that she is a seamstress selling accessories, the authorities claimed her behaviour and possessions suggested otherwise. Her son told reporters that she had previously received psychiatric treatment. The campaign against occult practices in Chechnya has involved mass detentions, coerced confessions and public apologies, often under duress. State media frequently shows detainees’ forced confessions and acts of public repentance.

(Image is depiction and not a photo of actual person involved in story)

By GNA
02 June 2025

Location: Ghana

A positive legal development in Ghana against harmful practices rooted in superstition. In this case, a Hohoe court has convicted a man for calling his neighbor a witch, an act that fosters discrimination and social harm. The court’s decision to impose a fine, require compensation, and order the man to refrain from such accusations sends a strong message that labelling someone a witch is unacceptable and should no longer be tolerated in society.

By Mukesh Ranjan
New Indian Express
29 May 2025

Location: India

A village court in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand state, India, has passed a resolution not to hear any case related to witch-hunting – in other words, not to dignify any accusations of witchcraft by allowing them into the local legal system. The Gram Pradhan of Sarjamda village told the New Indian Express that this decision was made in order to forestall witchcraft-accusation-related killings: there had been an increase in “incidents of killing women and elders after branding them as witches during Panchayat meetings.” The court also amended the traditional self-governance system to state that there is no such thing as witchcraft, and that any complaints accusing someone else of witchcraft would result in the complainant being referred for counseling. The resolution is being hailed by activists and civil society groups as a landmark decision.

By Ayturgan Azimzhanova
Kursiv Media
28 May 2025

Location: Tajikistan

Four women were detained on suspicion of providing magical services, arrested in the Khatlon region. The women were aged from their twenties to their seventies. The women were charged under the Code of Administrative Offenses for witchcraft and fortune-telling. Their cases are expected to be sent to court, where they could face significant fines.

By Tapasa Kumar Parida
ETV Bharat
26 May 2025

Location: India

Some individuals still visit ‘witch-hunter’ or other quack advisers to seek advice when they fall ill. The cost of this misguided belief is too great, leading to brutal attacks, murders and lives shattered beyond repair.

By Solomon Star
21 May 2025

Location: Solomon Islands

A recent retaliation attack linked to allegations of sorcery resulted in several buildings being set on fire, highlighting ongoing tensions in the community of Sinali Village in East Fataleka, Malaita Province, Solomon Islands.

By Ejaz Kaiser
New Indian Express
20 May 2025

In the last week, the New Indian Express reports, at least three women were killed in Chhattisgarh state on the suspicion that they were witches. The youngest was a seventeen-year-old girl, Minakshi Markam, who is the youngest person known to have been killed after being accused of witchcraft in the state. The other two women, Sanmet Kashyap at Sanbahli village in Mahasamund and Hidma Podiyami at Katekalyan in Dantewada, were both elderly. The New Indian Express reports that their neighbors are suspected of having committed the murders. Chhattisgarh has had laws against witch-hunting since 2005, but experts note they have done little to curb accusation-related killings.

By James Paleologopoulos
WAMC Northeast Public Radio
20 May 2025

Location: USA

In 17th-century New England, witch hysteria led neighbours to accuse each other of heresy. Salem, Massachusetts was infamous for its trials. However, a new Springfield exhibition reveals that the region's first major witchcraft accusations actually took place in the City of Homes. Springfield’s Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History features an exhibit highlighting this significant historical moment, and includes discussion of how the image of the witch has transformed over the centuries.

By Lindsay Baker
BBC News
16 May 2025

A new book How to Kill a Witch brings forth lessons from the history of witch trials and witch hunting and their relevancy to our current times, including a key warning by one of its authors Zoe Venditozzi to ‘not use the condemnation of vulnerable or isolated members of the community as a way to strengthen public trust and safety’. It’s a sign of the times that works like this are showing us how to give voice to the vulnerable and to be alert to how this can still happen today.

By Wendy Dondolo
IOL
15 May 2025

Location: South Africa

The Pietermaritzburg High Court of South Africa sentenced a 37-year-old man named Nkosiyethu Exon Makhunga to two life terms in prison for a witchcraft-accusation-related killing. In February 2024, Makhunga visited an inyanga, a traditional healer, in KwaZulu-Natal, who allegedly told Makhunga that his grandmother was bewitching him. Later that evening, Makhunga consumed alcohol and, according to the National Prosecuting Authority, became convinced that the inyanga had been correct. That same night, he attacked and killed his grandmother and her sister, who happened to be sitting with her.

By Hindustan Times
14 May 2025

Location: India

Two women were allegedly murdered after being accused of witchcraft in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand state, India. Both women, 45-year-old Chako Bodra and 48-year-old Pogala Purty, were widows, and were accused of killing a local 10-year-old girl with witchcraft. The girl’s father and four others were subsequently arrested by police; all confessed to the murders.

By Ezra Nyakundi
NairobeLeo
27 April 2025

Location: Kenya

A member of the Kenyan Parliament, Phelix Odiwour (more popularly known as Jalang'o, spoke about overhearing a "meeting of witches" on a visit to Kisii, a district known for being a hotbed of witchcraft accusation. After an outpouring of protest from the Kisii community, where people reportedly felt insulted, Jalang'o apologized for his words and claimed he had been misquoted. He clarified that he would never insult the Kisii community; he did not, however, disavow the possibility of witches in Kisii.

By Ajay Nath
India Today
23 April 2025

Location: India

A 55-year-old man named Bhairav Sahu was allegedly killed in Odisha, India, after being accused of witchcraft. Though his daughter claimed to the police that he died by suicide, investigation reportedly indicated a ‘violent assault’, and police have arrested twenty-eight people in relation with the potential crime. 

By Amnesty International
14 April 2025

Location: Ghana

Amnesty International releases a report, Branded for Life, on the "witch camps" of Ghana, where women who have been accused of witchcraft often live after being exiled from their communities. The writers of the report interviewed 93 people accused of witchcraft, families of the dead, and multiple people who oversee the camps. The report notes that economic factors and gender discrimination make people in Ghana particularly vulnerable to witchcraft accusation. Amnesty further notes that "despite the prevalence of the incidents, the cases are rarely reported and investigated," and criticizes "the failure of the state to provide a long-term coordinated sensitization campaign in those regions to combat negative gender stereotypes at the origin of the accusations." Multiple media outlets, including Vice and RFI, reported on Amnesty's findings.

By Christian Daily International
Morning Star News
11 April 2025

Location: Nigeria

In Nigeria, four Muslims murdered a 70-year-old Catholic woman, Talatu Joshua, after a traditional healer falsely claimed she had used witchcraft against a suspect’s wife. The attack occurred on 2 March as she returned from church. Police revealed that the suspects had consulted a healer just days earlier, who falsely accused her, fueling the deadly violence. Read more to understand how superstition and misinformation can lead to tragedy.

By Sahara Reporters
12 April 2025

Location: Nigeria

A man named Sharahu Haruna of Zamfara State, Nigeria, was allegedly shot and killed after his relative was accused of witchcraft. The relative, Haruna Lawali, was accused of bewitching a woman who had recently died; a mob allegedly gathered outside Lawali's house, and at some point, a gun went off, killing Sharahu Haruna.

By Prasun K Mishra
Hindustan Times
11 April 2025

Location: India

An elderly woman, identified as Kismatiya Devi, was attacked and killed after she was accused of witchcraft in the Rohtas district of Bihar, India. The precipitating event was the sudden death of her neighbor, an eight-year-old boy; the deceased boy's grandfather, along with other members of the boy's family, apparently came to suspect Devi, and allegedly attacked and killed her. The grandfather has been arrested by local police. 

By Post Courier/RNZ Pacific
07 April 2025

Location: Papua New Guinea

In Papua New Guinea, a survivor of sorcery-related violence faces heartbreaking rejection from her family, highlighting the societal stigma and isolation that often accompany accusations of witchcraft. This article sheds light on her difficult journey, the emotional toll of such violence, and the urgent need for awareness and support for victims in similar situations.

By Andrew Mathieson
National Indigenous Times
03 April 2025

Location: Papua New Guinea

A landmark conviction in Papua New Guinea relating to the murder of a mother-of-five, accused of sorcery, has been hailed as a victory in the fight to stop attacks and murders in the country.

By ABC Pacific Beat
02 April 2025

Location: Papua New Guinea

In Papua New Guinea, a historic court ruling has seen a man jailed for five years for a sorcery accusation that led to the killing of a 39-year-old woman. 

By B Sridhar
The Times of India
01 April 2025

Location: India

In a shocking act of violence, a woman was tragically killed by her grandsons in a case that has left the community reeling. This article explores the circumstances surrounding the incident, shedding light on the complexities of familial relationships and the factors that can lead to such devastating actions.

Hope Abah
Daily Trust
22 March, 2025

Location: Nigeria

Blessing Sunday, a young student, recounts the night she and her father were accused of witchcraft in their Ipinu-Oju central community in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State.

By Debabrata Mohanty
Hindustan Times
19 March, 2025

Location: India

In a shocking incident in Odisha, three individuals were brutally hacked to death over accusations of witchcraft. The horrifying event has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the continuing prevalence of superstitions in the region. Read more about this tragic story and its implications.

By Leo Igwe
Skeptic
18 March, 2025

In Malawi, the ongoing persecution rooted in witchcraft accusations highlights the dark reality of witch hunts that persist in various communities across Africa. This article explores the alarming rise in violence against those accused of witchcraft and discusses the efforts being made to end these brutal practices. Learn about the factors driving this issue and the fight for justice and safety for the accused.

By Alexander Nazaryan
The New York Times
18 March, 2025

Maryland is the most recent state to introduce legislation to exonerate those convicted of witchcraft centuries ago. But why now?

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By
Post Courier
18 March, 2025

A man has been sentenced to prison for accusing Lorna Nicko of sorcery, a charge rooted in harmful superstitions. This case sheds light on the dire consequences of sorcery allegations and the urgent need to address superstitious beliefs in society.

By UNDP
17 March 2025

The documentary film directed by Marco Venditti will get its premiere at Paradise Cinema at Vision City Mall on 20 March 2025.

By India News

17 March, 2025

A man was arrested for the shocking murder of a woman based on witchcraft accusations. This incident highlights the dangerous consequences of superstitions and societal stigma.

By Aukaisha Abdullai
Ghana News Agency
14 March, 2025

Hajia Lamnatu Adam, Executive Director of Songtaba NGO, said during the launch of the project, which also commemorated this year's International Women's Day, that it would include a focus on intimate partner violence and witchcraft accusations.

By Suzan Edeh
Independent
12 March 2025

In a tragic incident highlighting ongoing issues of superstition and violence, a 70-year-old grandmother named Talatu Joshua was brutally murdered in Bauchi over allegations of witchcraft. This article looks into the disturbing details surrounding her death and raises important questions about societal beliefs and the consequences they can have on vulnerable individuals.

By
Assam News
11 March 2025

Location: India

A group of people in Assam's Dibrugarh district attacked a 62-year-old Adivasi woman over claims she was practising witchcraft. Their physical attack resulted in serious injuries and the victim was found near a river where the mob abandoned her. She was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

By Folalumi Alaran
This Day
10 March, 2025

The National Association of Seadogs has issued a strong condemnation of recent witch hunts, stressing the urgent need for action to address escalating human rights violations. In a statement released on March 10, 2025, the group called for increased vigilance and accountability to protect the rights of individuals against persecution. Highlighting the alarming trend of targeting marginalised communities, the organisation emphasized the importance of upholding justice and dignity for all citizens. The call to action resonates as a plea for unity in the defence of fundamental human rights amid growing societal tensions.

By Sarah Kuta
Smithsonian Magazine
10 March, 2025

Discover the vibrant new tartan pattern designed to honor the women accused of witchcraft in Scotland from 1563 to 1736. This unique tribute weaves together history and artistry, shedding light on a poignant chapter of the past. Read on to learn more about the story behind this meaningful creation.

By JT Moodee Lockman
CBS News
10 March, 2025

Uncover the fascinating history of Maryland's witch trials as the state considers legislation to acknowledge and honour the victims. See into the dark past of witchcraft accusations and learn how lawmakers aim to commemorate those affected by this harrowing chapter in history. Read more about this important initiative!

By Leo Igwe
Modern Ghana
09 March, 2025

The article discusses the theme for Commonwealth Day 2025, ‘Together We Can End Witch Accusations’, to raise awareness about the injustices faced by those accused of witchcraft, particularly in various Commonwealth nations. It emphasises the need for collaborative efforts to combat superstition and violence linked to witch hunts, and calls for united action from governments, civil society, and communities to protect vulnerable individuals, promote legal reforms, and educate to dismantle harmful beliefs surrounding witchcraft accusations.

By Peter Dada
Punch
08 March, 2025

The Nigerian government collaborates with a coalition of human rights organizations to tackle the alarming issue of witchcraft-related abuses, which continue to plague vulnerable communities. This partnership aims to raise awareness and provide support for victims of violence and discrimination linked to witchcraft accusations. By fostering dialogue and implementing educational initiatives, they seek to dismantle the harmful beliefs that perpetuate these human rights violations, striving for a safer and more just society for all.

By Eleanor Steafel
Daily Telegraph
06 March, 2025

The harrowing story of Kindoki—a belief in witchcraft that has led to tragic consequences in the case of Victoria Climbie. Accused of witchcraft, innocent children have faced unimaginable suffering, shedding light on the broader issues of cultural beliefs and their impact on vulnerable communities. This exploration not only raises awareness about the dangers of such accusations but also calls for greater protection and understanding for those labeled as ‘witches’ in contemporary society.

By Dominic McNally
Gen
06 March, 2025

The article looks at the intricate history of queer women and their connections to witchcraft, exploring how societal fears and prejudice against those who defy traditional gender roles often cast them as witches.

By Scott Waide
RNZ
03 March, 2025

Dickson Tanda is a dedicated advocate in Papua New Guinea, working tirelessly to combat sorcery-related violence against women. Despite facing significant challenges, he has become a beacon of hope, rescuing victims and providing them with protection and support. Tanda's efforts highlight the urgent need for awareness and action in addressing the human rights abuses associated with sorcery accusations, making him an unsung hero in the fight for justice and safety for vulnerable women in his community.

By Scott Waide
Post-Courier
03 March, 2025

The article sheds light on the critical issue of sorcery accusation-related violence in Papua New Guinea, where a fractured support system leaves victims vulnerable. As traditional beliefs clash with modern legal frameworks, many women accused of witchcraft face harassment and violence, often with little recourse for justice. The piece explores the challenges in addressing this human rights crisis, emphasising the need for comprehensive reforms and community awareness to protect the most at-risk individuals. It calls for a unified response to create a safer environment and dismantle the harmful stereotypes that perpetuate these abuses.

By James Snell
The Spectator
02 March 2025

Discover how ancient fears and the practices of witchcraft are making a surprising return in modern Britain. Far from being a thing of the past, witchcraft and sorcery are woven into the multicultural fabric of today’s society, with folk traditions still alive and practised. However, alongside these practices, accusations of witchcraft, targeting children and vulnerable individuals, are also rising. Recent statistics reveal thousands of assessments and police reports linked to faith-based abuse, spirit possession, and demonic accusations. An eye-opening exploration of how belief, suspicion and fear continue to shape lives in contemporary Britain.

By Rebekah Evans
The Week
27 February, 2025

The article explores the alarming increase of child witchcraft accusations in the UK, where vulnerable children, particularly from immigrant communities, are being subjected to harmful labels and mistreatment. It highlights disturbing trends where children are accused of witchcraft, often leading to physical and psychological abuse, abandonment, or even murder. It shows there is a need for urgent intervention from social services and law enforcement to protect these children and address the underlying cultural beliefs fueling such accusations.

By Renzo Gomez Vega
El Pais
26 February 2025

Location: Peru

After the death of Rubén Sabino Oviriano’s mother from tuberculosis, Rubén became fixated on why she died. He visited a healer to ask what had killed her and the healer said that it was his nephew, accusing him of being a witch doing ‘evil work’. The uncle buried his nephew alive and it was only thanks to the quick work of a local patrol that the boy was discovered and rescued in time.

By Diane Taylor
The Guardian
24 February, 2025

In a disturbing trend, new figures reveal that over 14,000 children in England have been accused of witchcraft since 2015, with 2,180 assessments happening in just the past year. This alarming data coincides with the release of Kindoki Witch Boy, a film about Mardoche Yembi, who was subjected to exorcism as a child. The release also marks the 25th anniversary of Victoria Climbié’s tragic death from similar accusations. Yembi hopes the film will encourage other victims to come forward and highlight the pressing issue of faith-based abuse.

See film at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLLf8WYWB34

By Olivia Lewis
The Taos News
20 February, 2025

The article reports on a significant ruling by the New Mexico Supreme Court, which overturned the murder conviction of a woman previously labeled as a ‘witch’ by a prosecutor during her trial. This case highlights the dangerous intersection of superstition and the judicial system, where accusations of witchcraft can skew perceptions of guilt and influence legal outcomes. The court's decision not only seeks justice for the wrongfully convicted woman but also sheds light on the enduring stigma surrounding witchcraft and the impact of such labels on individuals, particularly women, within the legal framework.

By Julia Scammahorn
KCTV5 News
05 February, 2025

56-year-old woman claimed her neighbor was a witch responsible for casting a hex on her, convicted for Criminal Threat.

By News Wire
The Nation
05 February, 2025

Five men have been sentenced to death by hanging in Nigeria’s Kano state for the 2023 murder of a woman they accused of witchcraft.

By Lubabalo Ngcukana
City Press
03 February, 2025

A 29-year-old man appeared in the Elliotdale (Xhora) Magistrates' Court facing two charges of assault and another of imputing witchcraft, related to his claims one of the women had bewitched his late father.

By Tabrez Alam
Forward Press
29 January, 2025

A pressing need exists for a comprehensive national law criminalising witch-hunting, with strict penalties for perpetrators. Providing communities with proper healthcare services could significantly reduce influence of ojhas and reduce the instances of witch-branding in Jharkhand.

By Sheronrose Mgombe
Chronicle
24 January, 2025

A man from Binga, Zimbabwe assaults father, accusing him of witchcraft. Appears in Hwange Magistrate’s Court facing charge of attempted murder.

By Valentia Tetteh
Gbcghanaonline
23 January, 2025

The Northern Region Minister-Designate, Ali Adolf G. John, has vowed to tackle the ongoing issue of abuse and isolation faced by individuals accused of witchcraft in some communities.

By Express News Service
The New Indian Express
22 January, 2025

Despite police case and witch-hunting law invoked, no arrests made as family is denied basic rights and access in Dorakantia village.

By Chrispine Otieno
Citizen Digital
22 January , 2025

Four individuals have been sentenced to a combined 135 years in prison for their roles in the brutal lynching of two elderly women in Kisii, accused of witchcraft. This tragic incident highlights the dangers of superstition and mob justice, calling for greater awareness and protection for vulnerable members of the community.

By Manny Moreno
The Wild Hunt
14 January, 2025

A Maryland legislator aims to clear the names of those accused, tried, or convicted of witchcraft before the American Revolution.

By Vitasta Kaul & Vedaant Lakhera
Frontline
13 December, 2024

Over 75,000 women—mostly from backward castes—face violence and ostracism as ‘daayans’ across villages. The authorities look away…

By Express News Service
The New Indian Express
11 December, 2024

After villager accusations of practising sorcery, the five accused beat Shiva to death.

By Omar Rashid
The Wire
11 December, 2024

Most women facing witchcraft-related violence in India are married and living in joint families, according to a recent Bihar survey.

By Leo Igwe
Modern Ghana
10 December, 2024

The Advocacy of Alleged Witches is outraged over the brutal killing of at almost 200 people accused of witchcraft in Haiti.

By Harold Isaac
Reuters
10 December, 2024

Image: https://unsplash.com/photos/woman-caring-toddlers-fA29oQ0cpcY

By Justin Klawans
The Week
26 November, 2024

Despite the passage of 331 years, religious witch hunts continue worldwide, often under-reported. While women remain primary victims, men and children are also frequently accused of witchcraft.

By Prakiti
Feminism in India
21 November, 2024

Witch-hunting tradition, commonly known as Dayan Pratha, in many parts of Rajasthan, is a primitive and heinous practice that labels women as witches.

By Lemach Lavari
ABC News
19 November, 2024, updated 28 Nov 2024

Detailing the challenges facing the brave journalists reporting on sorcery accusation-related violence.

By Jonathan Griffin & Olaronke Alo
BBC News
26 October, 2024

Activist Leo Igwe at the forefront of efforts to help people accused of witchcraft in Nigeria.

By Life & Style
This Day
17 August, 2024

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches warns against the witch-hunting event "That Witch Must Die" in Mbieri, Imo State. Advocates advocate that it is vital to distinguish between religious freedom and promoting harm.

By Njeri Mwangi in Kilifi county & Tamasin Ford in London
BBC News
08 July, 2024

An investigation into a shocking spate of elderly people accused of witchcraft then murdered along Kenya’s Kilifi coast.

By Summer Lin
Los Angeles Times
23 May, 2024

By Emmanuel Sarpong Owusu
Modern Ghana
16 May, 2024

Witchcraft beliefs are deeply ingrained in many African communities, often leading to violence against vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly. Interestingly, occasional cases arise where those accused of witchcraft take legal action against their accusers for defamation.

By Leo Igwe
ZAM
13 May, 2024

Many Nigerians still believe in witchcraft. Evangelists’ campaigns to ‘free from witchcraft attacks’ only strengthen the primitive belief.

By Austin Cooper
MENA, The New Arab
4 April, 2024

By Sarah Kanowski, Dan Smith and Meggie Morris for Conversations from the Pacific
7 July, 2023

Vicious attacks on women often accompany economic upheavals

By Silvia Federici, Alice Markham-Cantor
Scientific American May 2023 Issue
1 May, 2023

Image: A family member holds a portrait of Iquo Edet Eyo, who was killed in Nigeria in October 2022. Credit: Kholood Eid

Simone Fox Koob, Amelia Adams and Laura Sparkes
22 April, 2023

Simiona Tuteru, a member of The Potter’s House Christian Fellowship, was the supervisor of the truck driver who killed four police officers on the Eastern Freeway in April, 2020.

Press Release
Pan-African Parliament
15 March, 2023

By Solène Tadié
National Catholic Register
3 January, 2023

By Sophie Edwards

Two elderly women residing at the Kukuo Witch Camp located in the south district of northern Ghana. Photo by: Pacific Press Media Production Corp. / Alamy via Reuters Connect