I understand this documentary showing some of the children directly affected
by accusations of "witchcraft" in Nigeria is available online at
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/dispatches/4od from yesterday
until about mid-December1 The content includes some
difficult-to-watch examples of abuse as well as some more positive
stories. You can also check out this link http://richarddawkins.net/articles/4647
Or http://www.channel4.com/programmes/dispatches/episode-guide/series-43/ep...

A friend who attended a screening of the documentary sent this message:

Tonight I attended a screening of the documentary "Return to Africa's Witch Children" at the Amnesty International Human Rights Action Centre in London.
It was not an easy film to watch. We were shown results of extreme maltreatment of children; some beaten, some burned by acid or boiling water. We also witnessed the sight of abandoned children and of children ostracised. shunned and expelled from their families and communities. Their staring eyes of incomprehension haunt me as I write.

Leo Igwe was shown reporting on what had happened during the disruption of the conference he had organised with Stepping Stones Nigeria. The Nigerian Humanist Movement was briefly acknowledged.

Gary Foxcroft of Stepping Stones was at pains to point out that the film had also shown some of the good progress that had been made since the making of the first documentary last year
The work that was being done by CRARN (Child Rights and Rehabilitation Centre) and its President Sam Ikpe-Itauma is inspirational.

The State Governor of Akwa Ibom, Godswill Akpabio also seems to have taken the matter seriously and enacted some laws for the protection of the children. However he and everyone else have now all been cited in various legal moves taken by the very rich evangelical Helen Ukpabio. Fortunately in addition to James Ibor, Hummay member and a lawyer, in Nigeria there are also some human rights lawyers in the UK who are helping with some of these problems.

In the Q&A session after the screening I mentioned that I am a Trustee of the BHA and a friend of Leo Igwe of the Nigerian Humanist Movement . I said that the BHA and all other members of the International Humanist and Ethical Union were staunch supporters of human rights. I said that this included the right of people to their own beliefs and religions but not to abuse children. I said that I felt confident that IHEU members would want me to congratulate the film makers, Stepping Stones Nigeria and CRARN for their work in the defence of and care for children.
We heard from a lawyer that a class action on the part of some of the accused and abused children was being considered but no further details of this were given. It was suggested that success in this might have far reaching implications.

It was also suggested that in order to make further progress in addressing these problems there should be greater attempts made to engage with churches and pastors etc. I heard from Gary Foxcroft that he was somewhat uneasy at the possible consequences of Leo Igwe's fearless and outspoken rejection of superstition and championing of reason and science.

Many in the audience who spoke mentioned that they were Christian. Gary said that he does have problems engaging with some of the people in NIgeria who talk about beliefs which he finds quite unacceptable but that he felt he needed to somehow to smile sweetly and try to persuade them to stand up against these abhorrent practices.

No doubt there will soon be an opportunity to see the documentary online and to read some reviews.