Help the Child Witches of Nigeria - Support the Prevent Abandonment of Children Today(PACT) Campaign
Target:
The Akwa Ibom State Government and Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board
Sponsored by:
We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned by the high rates of child abandonment, torture and killings due to the widely held belief if child "witches" in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
We believe that all children have the right to be protected from being hurt or mistreated, either phyically or mentally, and that it is the role of the Government to ensure this. As such we declare our full support for the key demands of the Prevent Abandonment of Children Today (PACT) campaign. These are as follows:
1 That the Nigerian federal government enact legislation making it illegal for children to be branded as 'witches'
2 That the Akwa Ibom State Government work with all stakeholders to develop a comprehensive plan of action to protect and save the lives of children branded as 'witches'
3 The Akwa Ibom State Government should begin to regulate the activities of churches known to be violating the rights of children
4 The Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) should ban all home videos that promote superstitious beliefs and lead to the stigmatisation of children as "witches"
We call upon the Nigerian Federal Government, the Akwa Ibom State Government and the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to do everything in their powers to protect and save the lives of these innocent children. The eyes of the world are watching . Turning a blind eye to this needless suffering is not an option. Please act now.
NEWSFLASH - Akwa Ibom State Government Meets Previous Key Demand of PACT Campaign and Enacts Child Rights Act in Akwa Ibom State!!! We acknowledge and appreciate the support of the Akwa Ibom State Government for the PACT Campaign and sincerely hope that they may offer further financial and institutional support for the campaign in the months to come.
For more information on the two organisations that launched and promote the PACT campaign in Akwa Ibom State please see the following websites:
www.steppingstonesnigeria.org
www.crarn.org
Please do also join the FaceBook Group - Help the Child Witches of Nigeria
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=9476440119&ref=ts
Thank you so much for your support!
We believe that all children have the right to be protected from being hurt or mistreated, either phyically or mentally, and that it is the role of the Government to ensure this. As such we declare our full support for the key demands of the Prevent Abandonment of Children Today (PACT) campaign. These are as follows:
1 That the Nigerian federal government enact legislation making it illegal for children to be branded as 'witches'
2 That the Akwa Ibom State Government work with all stakeholders to develop a comprehensive plan of action to protect and save the lives of children branded as 'witches'
3 The Akwa Ibom State Government should begin to regulate the activities of churches known to be violating the rights of children
4 The Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) should ban all home videos that promote superstitious beliefs and lead to the stigmatisation of children as "witches"
We call upon the Nigerian Federal Government, the Akwa Ibom State Government and the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to do everything in their powers to protect and save the lives of these innocent children. The eyes of the world are watching . Turning a blind eye to this needless suffering is not an option. Please act now.
NEWSFLASH - Akwa Ibom State Government Meets Previous Key Demand of PACT Campaign and Enacts Child Rights Act in Akwa Ibom State!!! We acknowledge and appreciate the support of the Akwa Ibom State Government for the PACT Campaign and sincerely hope that they may offer further financial and institutional support for the campaign in the months to come.
For more information on the two organisations that launched and promote the PACT campaign in Akwa Ibom State please see the following websites:
www.steppingstonesnigeria.org
www.crarn.org
Please do also join the FaceBook Group - Help the Child Witches of Nigeria
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=9476440119&ref=ts
Thank you so much for your support!
We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned by the high rates of child abandonment, torture and killings due to the widely held belief if child "witches" in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
We believe that all children have the right to be protected from being hurt or mistreated, either phyically or mentally, and that it is the role of the Government to ensure this. As such we declare our full support for the key demands of the Prevent Abandonment of Children Today (PACT) campaign. These are as follows:
1 That the Nigerian federal government enact legislation making it illegal for children to be branded as 'witches'
2 That the Akwa Ibom State Government work with all stakeholders to develop a comprehensive plan of action to protect and save the lives of children branded as 'witches'
3 The Akwa Ibom State Government should begin to regulate the activities of churches known to be violating the rights of children
4 The Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) should ban all home videos that promote superstitious beliefs and lead to the stigmatisation of children as "witches"
We call upon the Nigerian Federal Government, the Akwa Ibom State Government and the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to do everything in their powers to protect and save the lives of these innocent children. The eyes of the world are watching . Turning a blind eye to this needless suffering is not an option. Please act now.
NEWSFLASH - Akwa Ibom State Government Meets Previous Key Demand of PACT Campaign and Enacts Child Rights Act in Akwa Ibom State!!! We acknowledge and appreciate the support of the Akwa Ibom State Government for the PACT Campaign and sincerely hope that they may offer further financial and institutional support for the campaign in the months to come.
For more information on the two organisations that launched and promote the PACT campaign in Akwa Ibom State please see the following websites:
www.steppingstonesnigeria.org
www.crarn.org
Please do also join the FaceBook Group - Help the Child Witches of Nigeria
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=9476440119&ref=ts
Thank you so much for your support!
We believe that all children have the right to be protected from being hurt or mistreated, either phyically or mentally, and that it is the role of the Government to ensure this. As such we declare our full support for the key demands of the Prevent Abandonment of Children Today (PACT) campaign. These are as follows:
1 That the Nigerian federal government enact legislation making it illegal for children to be branded as 'witches'
2 That the Akwa Ibom State Government work with all stakeholders to develop a comprehensive plan of action to protect and save the lives of children branded as 'witches'
3 The Akwa Ibom State Government should begin to regulate the activities of churches known to be violating the rights of children
4 The Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) should ban all home videos that promote superstitious beliefs and lead to the stigmatisation of children as "witches"
We call upon the Nigerian Federal Government, the Akwa Ibom State Government and the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) to do everything in their powers to protect and save the lives of these innocent children. The eyes of the world are watching . Turning a blind eye to this needless suffering is not an option. Please act now.
NEWSFLASH - Akwa Ibom State Government Meets Previous Key Demand of PACT Campaign and Enacts Child Rights Act in Akwa Ibom State!!! We acknowledge and appreciate the support of the Akwa Ibom State Government for the PACT Campaign and sincerely hope that they may offer further financial and institutional support for the campaign in the months to come.
For more information on the two organisations that launched and promote the PACT campaign in Akwa Ibom State please see the following websites:
www.steppingstonesnigeria.org
www.crarn.org
Please do also join the FaceBook Group - Help the Child Witches of Nigeria
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=9476440119&ref=ts
Thank you so much for your support!
We signed the "Help the Child Witches of Nigeria - Support the Prevent Abandonment of Children Today(PACT) Campaign" petition!
# 6,269:
5:59 am PST, Jan 9,
Lance Oleviri, Ohio
# 6,268:
5:34 am PST, Jan 9,
Deborah Lane, United Kingdom
Having watched the despatches programme i was left feeling upset then angry, that in the year 2009 these things are happening to children.
Having watched the despatches programme i was left feeling upset then angry, that in the year 2009 these things are happening to children.
# 6,267:
3:38 am PST, Jan 9,
DIANA STANEVA, Bulgaria
# 6,266:
3:31 am PST, Jan 9,
Evaristo Musaba, South Africa
# 6,265:
4:07 pm PST, Jan 8,
Neil B, United Kingdom
I call on all UK pentecostalist christians to support this campaign against alleged child witches and to universally denounce the concept of witchcraft.
I call on all UK pentecostalist christians to support this campaign against alleged child witches and to universally denounce the concept of witchcraft.
# 6,264:
1:52 pm PST, Jan 8,
Leatrice Brantley, Florida
# 6,263:
7:59 am PST, Jan 8,
Thea Ramsey, Georgia
# 6,262:
6:51 am PST, Jan 8,
Heather Murphy, Georgia
All Children are God's children. They need to be protected from superstitious beliefs. Stop the torture, mental and physical abuse of these children.
All Children are God's children. They need to be protected from superstitious beliefs. Stop the torture, mental and physical abuse of these children.
# 6,261:
2:55 am PST, Jan 8,
Name not displayed, Armed Forces Europe
# 6,260:
11:37 pm PST, Jan 7,
Rebecca Lyn London, Florida
# 6,259:
10:03 pm PST, Jan 7,
Brittany Duchaine, Massachusetts
# 6,258:
1:48 pm PST, Jan 7,
Owen Davies, United Kingdom
# 6,257:
10:15 am PST, Jan 7,
Catriona Patterson, United Kingdom
I felt abosoutely awfull after hearing what happens to these children and I really hope this petition has an impact on their lives and stops any more children being exposed to this horrific abuse.
I felt abosoutely awfull after hearing what happens to these children and I really hope this petition has an impact on their lives and stops any more children being exposed to this horrific abuse.
# 6,256:
3:17 am PST, Jan 7,
IRENA DECHEVA, Bulgaria
I am shocked and appalled at the way these children are treated. Those who do nothing to protect them should be ashamed of themselves and the people who have mistreated these children should be imprisoned for life. This must stop. They are children, not witches!
I am shocked and appalled at the way these children are treated. Those who do nothing to protect them should be ashamed of themselves and the people who have mistreated these children should be imprisoned for life. This must stop. They are children, not witches!
# 6,255:
3:14 am PST, Jan 7,
Sara Enuande, Canada
# 6,254:
3:09 am PST, Jan 7,
Mickey Sumerski, Bulgaria
# 6,253:
1:15 am PST, Jan 7,
Kate Ellis, United Kingdom
# 6,252:
1:33 pm PST, Jan 6,
Name not displayed, Germany
The dispatches programme deeply upset me. As a mother, it seems utterly incredible to me that a parent can betray their child's trust; and also that so-called Christians can commit such atrocities.
The dispatches programme deeply upset me. As a mother, it seems utterly incredible to me that a parent can betray their child's trust; and also that so-called Christians can commit such atrocities.
# 6,251:
1:22 pm PST, Jan 6,
Helen Woodend, United Kingdom
# 6,250:
11:10 am PST, Jan 6,
Solitudeone Cook, North Carolina
I was encouraged to see recently that the first "bishop" was finally taken into custody for his own self proclaimed 110 murders of witches, of which I am sure that most were children. But was equally sadden by the fact that 6-10 children are still be abandoned as witches.
I was encouraged to see recently that the first "bishop" was finally taken into custody for his own self proclaimed 110 murders of witches, of which I am sure that most were children. But was equally sadden by the fact that 6-10 children are still be abandoned as witches.
# 6,249:
9:20 am PST, Jan 6,
A. Vitae, South Africa
# 6,248:
9:18 am PST, Jan 6,
ILYAN STOEV, Bulgaria
# 6,247:
9:17 pm PST, Jan 5,
Jenny Casey, Arizona
# 6,246:
4:34 pm PST, Jan 5,
Maxine Simpson, United Kingdom
# 6,245:
11:44 am PST, Jan 5,
Louise Pearson, United Kingdom
# 6,244:
10:31 am PST, Jan 5,
John Morrow, United Kingdom
No-one deserves to be treated like this, let alone innocent children. Such bestial behaviour needs to be stopped now.
No-one deserves to be treated like this, let alone innocent children. Such bestial behaviour needs to be stopped now.
# 6,243:
9:11 am PST, Jan 5,
Name not displayed, Canada
# 6,242:
9:09 am PST, Jan 5,
Sinead Godwin, United Kingdom
I support unicef & believe children should be protected. I am a teacher and soon to be a mother myself, please act now, you can change the lives of so many x
I support unicef & believe children should be protected. I am a teacher and soon to be a mother myself, please act now, you can change the lives of so many x
# 6,241:
8:09 am PST, Jan 5,
Joanne Lang, United Kingdom
When I watched Dispatches saving Africa Children, it broke my heart to see children being abused in this despicable way, I have never forgotten the program and felt I wanted to help in some way, signing this petition is the very least I can do and I do plan to help in the future.
When I watched Dispatches saving Africa Children, it broke my heart to see children being abused in this despicable way, I have never forgotten the program and felt I wanted to help in some way, signing this petition is the very least I can do and I do plan to help in the future.
# 6,240:
5:48 am PST, Jan 5,
Kathleen Brookfield, Taiwan
# 6,239:
5:07 am PST, Jan 5,
Name not displayed, United Kingdom
I was horrified to see how these "witch" children are treated, especially in the name of Christianity.
I was horrified to see how these "witch" children are treated, especially in the name of Christianity.
# 6,238:
1:02 am PST, Jan 5,
Name not displayed, United Kingdom
# 6,237:
9:49 pm PST, Jan 4,
Ismael Rodriguez, California
# 6,236:
5:34 pm PST, Jan 4,
Name not displayed, Pennsylvania
# 6,235:
4:38 pm PST, Jan 4,
Teah Welsch, Wisconsin
# 6,233:
9:56 am PST, Jan 4,
Nichola Davey, United Kingdom
i watched the documentry on the whitch children i was traumatised and shocked to the bone.I could not beleive how these poor inocent children were being tortured by their families and left to fend for themselves.It was truely alful to watch, their goverment MUST act to protect these children and educate their comunities to ensure this stops.
i watched the documentry on the whitch children i was traumatised and shocked to the bone.I could not beleive how these poor inocent children were being tortured by their families and left to fend for themselves.It was truely alful to watch, their goverment MUST act to protect these children and educate their comunities to ensure this stops.
# 6,232:
8:56 am PST, Jan 4,
Name not displayed, United Kingdom
Currently at university - after seeing the dispatches programme I have felt compelled to involve my thoughts and feelings of what I saw in my latest exam paper, on an involved subject. I understand those with a western perspective cannot always fully understand beliefs of those in countries like Nigeria, but hopefully from an unbiased, moral and logical stand point it is clear to see that innocent children are suffering terribly as a consequence of videos like Helen Ukpabio's, and that something must be done. At grassroots levels, as charities, as a country/government and a world together. That acts like this can be carried out in the name of the Christian religion, I find unbelieveable and disgusting.
Currently at university - after seeing the dispatches programme I have felt compelled to involve my thoughts and feelings of what I saw in my latest exam paper, on an involved subject. I understand those with a western perspective cannot always fully understand beliefs of those in countries like Nigeria, but hopefully from an unbiased, moral and logical stand point it is clear to see that innocent children are suffering terribly as a consequence of videos like Helen Ukpabio's, and that something must be done. At grassroots levels, as charities, as a country/government and a world together. That acts like this can be carried out in the name of the Christian religion, I find unbelieveable and disgusting.
# 6,231:
8:35 am PST, Jan 4,
Camilla Morrow, United Kingdom
Labeling children as witches is child abuse and should never be tolerated. Education is needed in Nigeria to prevent people from believing such dangerous superstitions and action should be taken against those that preach these beliefs that lead to the stigmatisation of innocent children. Please act now.
Labeling children as witches is child abuse and should never be tolerated. Education is needed in Nigeria to prevent people from believing such dangerous superstitions and action should be taken against those that preach these beliefs that lead to the stigmatisation of innocent children. Please act now.
# 6,230:
7:16 am PST, Jan 4,
Debbrinnia Brown, United Kingdom
# 6,229:
4:08 am PST, Jan 4,
Catriona Burrow, United Kingdom
# 6,228:
10:32 pm PST, Jan 3,
Kathryn Fisher, Illinois
# 6,227:
7:57 pm PST, Jan 3,
Samantha DeCecco, Arizona
This is something that needs to be heard about! This is something that needs to come to an end. This isn't the way these kids should have to live!
This is something that needs to be heard about! This is something that needs to come to an end. This isn't the way these kids should have to live!
# 6,226:
1:28 pm PST, Jan 3,
Claire Humpage, United Kingdom
# 6,225:
12:16 pm PST, Jan 3,
Nilam Mehta, United Kingdom
After watching the Dispatches documentary on this subject, I was both moved and horrified that such superstitious practices could be venerated by adults against innocent children. If children can be demonised by adults in this way without repercussions from officical government departments, then we need to put pressure on the officials as well as educate the communities that this abuse is completely wrong. I only hope Western voices will be taken notice of.
After watching the Dispatches documentary on this subject, I was both moved and horrified that such superstitious practices could be venerated by adults against innocent children. If children can be demonised by adults in this way without repercussions from officical government departments, then we need to put pressure on the officials as well as educate the communities that this abuse is completely wrong. I only hope Western voices will be taken notice of.
# 6,224:
8:51 am PST, Jan 3,
Jayne McCurdy, United Kingdom
# 6,223:
8:13 am PST, Jan 3,
A.B. Madyun, California
The branding of children as "witches" is the most outrageous, and ignorant practice that I have ever witnessed in my 63 years on this earth. I believe that it is incumbent upon us as people of faith to stop these atrocious acts now. I am appealing to all right minded persons to voice your outrage of this horror.
The branding of children as "witches" is the most outrageous, and ignorant practice that I have ever witnessed in my 63 years on this earth. I believe that it is incumbent upon us as people of faith to stop these atrocious acts now. I am appealing to all right minded persons to voice your outrage of this horror.
# 6,222:
11:40 am PST, Jan 2,
LILI DOSPATEVA, Bulgaria
# 6,221:
11:38 am PST, Jan 2,
G. Butseva, United Kingdom
# 6,220:
11:21 am PST, Jan 2,
Dragia Dragiev, Bulgaria
Don't ignore what is happening, it may not affect us directly, but that doesnt mean we shouldn't take action.
Don't ignore what is happening, it may not affect us directly, but that doesnt mean we shouldn't take action.
# 6,219:
9:06 am PST, Jan 2,
D Humble, United Kingdom
# 6,218:
6:32 am PST, Jan 2,
Julie Dennis, United Kingdom
I was horrified to discover the fate of these children and would urge the Nigerian Government to do it's upmost to protect them
I was horrified to discover the fate of these children and would urge the Nigerian Government to do it's upmost to protect them
# 6,217:
5:29 am PST, Jan 2,
Eleanor Pring, United Kingdom
# 6,216:
8:13 pm PST, Jan 1,
Jennifer Gardner, Florida
# 6,215:
4:16 pm PST, Jan 1,
Colette McCreesh, Ireland
Good luck in your campaign and do not accept anything less than your 4 demands! God Bless
Good luck in your campaign and do not accept anything less than your 4 demands! God Bless
# 6,214:
2:47 pm PST, Jan 1,
Kenneth McPhail, Georgia
# 6,213:
12:44 pm PST, Jan 1,
Lesley Stroud, United Kingdom
# 6,212:
12:10 pm PST, Jan 1,
Allan Hayes, United Kingdom
# 6,211:
11:44 am PST, Jan 1,
Mike Guest, United Kingdom
# 6,210:
3:43 am PST, Jan 1,
Clare Sage, United Kingdom
It feels sad that such a silly but all powerful belief should be taken up by so many people and for it to cause such needless suffering.
It feels sad that such a silly but all powerful belief should be taken up by so many people and for it to cause such needless suffering.
# 6,209:
6:14 pm PST, Dec 31,
Diana Na, United Kingdom
# 6,208:
12:34 pm PST, Dec 31,
Mary Adeyinka, Ireland
This treatment of innocent children is utterly barbaric and must stop immediately.It is clearly obvious that the so called 'preachers'are only interested in taking money from vulnerable people and lining their own pockets.I have never felt such anger in many years.PLEASE PROTECT THE CHILDREN.
This treatment of innocent children is utterly barbaric and must stop immediately.It is clearly obvious that the so called 'preachers'are only interested in taking money from vulnerable people and lining their own pockets.I have never felt such anger in many years.PLEASE PROTECT THE CHILDREN.
# 6,207:
3:02 am PST, Dec 31,
Evlogi Dimitrov, Bulgaria
# 6,206:
1:50 am PST, Dec 31,
Name not displayed, United Kingdom
# 6,205:
11:39 pm PST, Dec 30,
Panteletsa Tzanetis, Greece
Children are God's gift to the world. Without them the human race would simply die out. Children are our future. It is up to us (adults) to protect and nurture them. Children look up to us for help and support and instead you destroy them without a second thought. If someone or something is helpless we help them and encourage them, we do not punish or kill them. That is just sheer evil and against GOD's will. You are all abusers of life! Change and make this world a better place to live in for the children of our future!!!
Children are God's gift to the world. Without them the human race would simply die out. Children are our future. It is up to us (adults) to protect and nurture them. Children look up to us for help and support and instead you destroy them without a second thought. If someone or something is helpless we help them and encourage them, we do not punish or kill them. That is just sheer evil and against GOD's will. You are all abusers of life! Change and make this world a better place to live in for the children of our future!!!
# 6,204:
5:03 pm PST, Dec 30,
Silvina Erwin, Georgia
# 6,203:
1:36 pm PST, Dec 30,
Name not displayed, United Kingdom
# 6,202:
12:38 pm PST, Dec 30,
Name not displayed, Australia
Every child has a right to the freedom to choose their destiny and not to be oppressed by imposed superstition
Every child has a right to the freedom to choose their destiny and not to be oppressed by imposed superstition
# 6,201:
10:20 am PST, Dec 30,
Amy Lees, United Kingdom
