Statement
INAWARA Statement on
Use of the Death Penalty
INAWARA Statement on Use of the Death Penalty
02 April 2025
The International Network for Advocacy against Witchcraft Accusations and Related Abuses (INAWARA) acknowledges the 2025 ruling by a Kano State High Court in Nigeria, which convicted five individuals for the murder of a woman accused of witchcraft.
INAWARA strongly supports the prosecution of those who perpetrate violence against persons accused of witchcraft. The conviction sends a clear message that such harmful practices will not be tolerated, and that those who engage in violence based on witchcraft accusations will be held accountable under the law.
However, INAWARA does not support the death penalty as a form of punishment in this or any case. We advocate for justice systems that prioritize rehabilitation, active accountability, and humane approaches to addressing violence. The cycle of violence cannot be broken by responding with more violence.
We remain committed to:
Working with communities to prevent witchcraft accusations and related abuses
Supporting victims and survivors of such accusations
Advocating for legal reforms that protect vulnerable individuals
Promoting evidence-based interventions and educational initiatives that challenge harmful beliefs and practices
INAWARA calls on governments, including Nigeria's, to align their approaches with with the United Nations Human Rights Council's Resolution on a Moratorium on the use of the death penalty adopted on 17 December 2024, as well as the United Nations Human Rights Council's Resolution on the Elimination of Harmful Practices Related to Accusations of Witchcraft and Ritual Attack (2021). This landmark resolution recognizes the severity of these human rights violations and urges states to take effective measures to prevent and respond to such practices. We encourage governments to invest in preventive measures that address the root causes of witchcraft accusations while ensuring that justice systems uphold human dignity, even for those who have committed terrible crimes.
Justice for victims of witchcraft-accusation related violence must be pursued, but in ways that affirm the value of all human life and the possibility of redemption.
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