Nepal to Crack Down on ‘Witchcraft’ Accusations

By on July 30, 2012 in News 6

Via Skeptic:

Arnold Savage Henry Landor - 'Nepalese Woman'

Witchcraft is taken seriously in some areas of Nepal, and women accused of its practice have been beaten, tortured and in one high profile incident, burned alive. The Nepalese government is hoping to end such activities with strict laws aimed at punishing those who accuse others of witchcraft:

“Taking seriously the incident in Kathmandu, the government has decided in principle to enact a comprehensive anti-witchcraft law,” Trilochan Upreti, law secretary at the prime minister’s office, told Khabar. The proposed law treats witchcraft allegations seriously, with a convicted punishment of up to 10 years imprisonment and an Rs 61,957.40 ($700) fine for those found to have levied false accusations.

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  • http://buzzcoastin.posterous.com BuzzCoastin

    it’s always nice to stumble into the 12th century every now and then
    in the 21st century: gays, drug users and people of color
    are the preferred targets for witch hunts

  • http://www.facebook.com/rthoneunomia.celine Threedinium

    Actually that’s quite interesting… what would happen in a court in Europe or U.S if you accused someone of fucking with you through witchcraft or various occult methods? If you aren’t laughed out of the copshop how are these things investigated, what kind of proof is required?

    Also trying to find if the law/constitution of Nepal mentioning witchcraft can be found online but not having much luck.

    • http://twitter.com/jasonpaulhayes jasonpaulhayes

      Interim Constitution, Part 3 ‘Fundamental Right’, Article 20 ‘Rights of Women’ explains that “no one shall be discriminated in any form merely for being a woman and no physical, mental or any other form of violence shall be inflicted to any woman, and such an act shall be punishable by law”. Nevertheless, there is still no law specifically criminalizing attacks on women accused of witchcraft.

      (Asian Human Rights Convention)

    • Jack Woods

      Have you been the victim of a curse or spell? Hi, my name is Jack Woods and I’m an attorney. If you’ve been injured by a witch, warlock or otherkin, it’s important to know your rights. Give me a call today.

    • Jack Woods

      Have you been the victim of a curse or spell? Hi, my name is Jack Woods and I’m an attorney. If you’ve been injured by a witch, warlock or otherkin, it’s important to know your rights. Give me a call today.

  • http://www.facebook.com/delboy1978uk Derek McLean

    what about wizards eh? lets not get sexist now!