10 August 2025
The 10th of August marks the World Day Against Witch Hunts. The International Network Against Witchcraft Accusations and Ritual Attacks (INAWARA) stands in urgent solidarity with survivors and victims of deadly attacks based on unfounded accusations and prejudice, which continue to claim innocent lives worldwide.
Crisis escalating: July 2025 killings highlight global emergency
‘These are not isolated incidents—they represent a global human rights crisis demanding immediate action,’ said Professor Miranda Forsyth, speaking for INAWARA
The month of July 2025 alone witnessed tens of horrific atrocities across multiple continents, including:
• Burundi: Six people were accused of witchcraft were burnt alive or stoned to death by a local militia.
• Papua New Guinea: A mother of six was publicly tortured for two days before being shot and killed after accusations of using sorcery against her deceased husband.
• Bihar, India: Five family members, including three women, were burnt alive by a mob of 50 people following witchcraft accusations made against one of the women.
• Ghana: A 70-year-old woman was violently lynched by community members who accused her of casting spells.
• Zimbabwe: A self-proclaimed prophet was arrested in Harare for the alleged ritual killing of a 12-year-old boy, whose mutilated body, with a pair of scissors lodged in his neck and his scrotum cut open, was discovered in a nearby yard. The suspect reportedly confessed to selling the boy’s private parts for ritual purposes.
Vulnerable groups under attack
INAWARA’s global monitoring reveals that while anyone can be a victim, vulnerable persons such as elderly women, widows, and children represent the majority of victims—a pattern consistent with recent findings from Amnesty International’s 2025 report on Ghana’s ‘camps’ for those accused of witchcraft, where over 500 women live in exile.
‘When we see elderly women being burned alive or beaten to death, we’re witnessing gender-based violence disguised as tradition,’ the Network stated. ‘These attacks often target individuals who cannot defend their own property or rights.’
International recognition, local inaction
Despite the UN Human Rights Council’s 2021 resolution condemning harmful practices related to witchcraft accusations, violence continues unabated. New legislative efforts to address the issue in a number of countries demonstrate growing political recognition of the crisis, but implementation of preventative measures remains inadequate, as documented in a recent report by INAWARA
The true scale of the crisis
The five cases described above represent only ‘the tip of the iceberg’, according to the Network. Emerging data suggests the problem is far worse than reported. More than 20,000 individuals around the world have suffered from accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks over the preceding two decades. Cases have taken place in more than 50 countries across both the Global South and Global North.
Call for urgent action
We are calling for more than awareness—we need immediate, coordinated action from governments, civil society, and international bodies’, the Network emphasized. ‘Every day of delay costs innocent lives.’
INAWARA demands:
• Immediate legal protection for accused individuals
• Accountability measures ensuring perpetrators face justice
• Educational campaigns to address root causes of accusations
• International cooperation to establish global standards for protection.
Growing global movement
INAWARA’s call comes as activists worldwide intensify efforts to combat witchcraft-related violence. From Papua New Guinea’s church advocacy workshops to Nigeria’s civil society partnerships with government, a coordinated international response is emerging.
‘The time for tolerance of these abuses has ended. In 2025, no person should face assault or death after being accused of witchcraft – or be accused at all,’ the Network concluded.
About the International Network Against Witchcraft Accusations
and Ritual Attacks (INAWARA)
INAWARA monitors and advocates against witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks globally, working to protect vulnerable communities and promote human rights.
Media Contact: [email protected]
For interviews and additional information: Visit: www.theinternationalnetwork.org/in-the-news
Note: INAWARA maintains extensive documentation of current cases at www.theinternationalnetwork.org/in-the-news.
