Asylum Claims based on Accusations of Witchcraft

UNHCR and Fahamu Refugee Programme are co-hosting a course entitled "Witchcraft allegations, refugee protection and human rights: A course for lawyers and legal advisers." It promises to "to arm lawyers and legal advisers with the information, networks and resources they require to represent those accused of witchcraft. Participants will learn how to best represent those whose claims to asylum are based upon accusations of witchcraft, an emerging area of refugee law in which there is a need for specialized knowledge and training." This event will be held 4-5 September 2010 in Oxford. The deadline for registering is 21 August 2010.

Other witchcraft-related resources:

Children Accused of Witchcraft: An anthropological study of contemporary practices in Africa (UNICEF, April 2010) [text]

Victims of Accusations of Witchcraft (Rights in Exile Programme) [access]
- Resource page.

Witchcraft allegations, refugee protection and human rights: a review of the evidence, New Issues in Refugee Research, no. 169 (UNHCR, Jan. 2009) [text]

"Witchcraft and Displacement," Forced Migration Review, no. 31 (Oct. 2008) [text]

Witchcraft, Displacement and Human Rights Network [access]
- A blog with regular news and information updates.

Witches in the 21st Century (OHCHR, August 2009) [access]
- News report from the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Philip Alston.

[Picture credit: "Examination of a Witch," in Salem Witch Trials, Wikipedia]

Tagged Publications and Events & Opportunities.