In some parts of Africa little children and elderly people are at risk of violence, torture and even murder as a result of being accused of "witchcraft". Typically the children or elderly people accused of witchcraft are vulnerable and dependent on their families for food and shelter and may be considered an economic burden by the people who accuse them, who are often members of their extended families. Victims may be beaten, burned with acid, buried alive or subjected to other forms of torture.
One of the main proponents of the idea that little children can be "witches" is a very wealthy and influential pastor Helen Ukpabio, who plans to visit Texas in March 2012 to spread her dangerous and insane views about child witches.
Ms Ukpabio owns a film production company that produces films warning people about the dangers of "witch children" such as the notorious "End of the Wicked", which you can see on youtube here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUeKBibBN0IWhile the film appears ridiculous to most people, in Nigeria many people takes these films extremely seriously and believe that they depict reality.
A poster advertising one of Ukpabio's witch-hunt themed events
I am extremely angry with Helen Ukpabio for building a career for herself and accumulating great wealth in such a way as to endanger children and other vulnerable people.
This insane hysteria about child "witches" can trigger assaults on children in countries outside Africa. Here in the UK there is currently a trial in progress regarding the torture and murder of a 15 year old African boy who was accused of being a "witch" by his older sister and her partner. The family in this case are from the DRC and the news reports from the trial make for nauseating and distressing reading. The victim's younger sister, who was also tortured, described how her brother was brutally tortured for days before finally begging to be allowed to die, at which point he was drowned in a cold bath, all because he was believed to be a "witch".
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8994982/Teenager-killed-by-relatives-who-believed-he-was-a-witch.htmlIn 2000 an 8 year old African girl called Victoria Climbie was tortured to death by her great aunt and her partner who believed Victoria was a "witch". The Climbie case was notable for multiple failures of UK professionals who were supposed to care for Victoria but who failed her. Professionals believed the lies of Victoria's great aunt who told them that Victoria had a skin infection whereas in fact Victoria had been repeatedly burned and tortured.
Victoria Climbie
I am extremely concerned about Helen Ukpabio's work in Nigeria and about her visit to the USA. The Nigerian Federal Government is taking steps to curb accusations of witchcraft against children however Ukpabio's "ministry" continues not only in Nigeria but in the US!
Surely this demented, evil woman cannot go about her business unchallenged? While it is too late to save the lives of the innocent children who have been tortured and killed for being "witches" surely something must be done to stop the odious activities of Helen Ukpabio and to stop more innocent children from being tortured and murdered.
Further reading
http://www.iheu.org/nigerian-witch-hunter-helen-ukpabio-bringing-gospel-hate-ushttp://www.steppingstonesnigeria.org/witchcraft.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Victoria_Climbi%C3%A9http://articles.cnn.com/2009-05-18/world/nigeria.child.witchcraft_1_witches-nigeria-abuse?_s=PM:WORLDhttp://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/13/world/africa/13iht-witches.4.8320813.htmlhttp://www.cassavarepublic.biz/our-authors-mainmenu-100/ayodele-olofintuade/enos-storyhttp://www.makeapact.org/
