CSOs call for action to address violence against older people

Civil society organisations (CSOs) have called on the government to come up with a national action plan aimed at protecting the elderly from witchcraft-related violence

The call was made during a press briefing in Mzuzu organized by Youth and Society (YAS) in conjunction with Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) on gains and losses made in the promotion of human rights this year.

CHRR Executive Director Michael Kaiyatsa said the country has not done well in dealing with attacks on older people being accused of practicing witchcraft.

“In as much as we have seen government officials condemning these acts of killing people on basis of witchcraft, government needed to do more to protect lives of people being accused of witchcraft especially the elderly as they are human beings too,” said Kaiyatsa.

The organizations also called for amendment of the witchcraft laws to replace the outdated laws.

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