Murder of alleged witches is a crime – Lawyer

People who are fond of killing persons alleged to be witches or wizards would be charged for murder if they are caught by the law.

The Director of the Legal Resources Centre (LRC), Ms Daphne Lariba Nabila gave the warning in reaction to concerns raised by women groups at a legal education forum held in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region.

The participants, said most of the affected persons are innocent old women and men. They also complained by domestic often perpetuated by husbands against their wives, denial of property inheritance and other gross human right abuses.

Ms Nabila said the incidence is common in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions and some parts of the southern sectors.

“The law is not spiritual and has no basis for witchcraft. The law recognises that such acts are against the fundamental human rights of the victims and one could face trial for murder,” she stressed.

Ms Nabila is a legal practitioner in charge of Women and Minors Rights Committee of the Ghana Bar Association for the north.

She took the participants through topics such as the “Interstate Rights, Spousal Rights and Labour Rights”.

She gave the assurance that her outfit would organise a similar programme to sensitise marriage men on their roles and responsibilities and how to co-exist with peaceful with their wives.

The forum, which attracted women groups made of hairdressers, dressmakers and market women groups, was organised by the LRC.

It was aimed at educating the women about their legal rights and where to access justice.

A similar forum was organised by the Centre at Adaboya Community in the District for women groups.

In another development, the Director schooled the students of the Bongo Senior High on the Children Act and the Juvenile Act

She encouraged the students to aspire to higher educational frontiers.