and limited to one state. They further submit that such lack of prosecution is a demonstration of systemic delays in justice which shows systematic failure and lack of due diligence. Amicus Curiae Briefing 42. The African Child Policy Forum (ACPF) submitted an amicus curiae brief to assist the Committee. The submission seeks to provide research-based evidence on the severe and systemic rights violations resulting from witchcraft accusations against children across Africa. It outlines the prevalent nature of this harmful practice, its devastating impact on children's rights to life, survival, development, and freedom from torture, and analyses the failure of States to adequately prevent, prohibit, and respond to these violations as required by international and regional human rights instruments. Drawing on comparative legal analysis and the recommendations of the Committee and the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, ACPF urges the Committee to use this case to set a strong legal precedent that compels State Parties to explicitly criminalize the practice, strengthen child protection systems, and combat the underlying harmful beliefs. Investigation mission 43. The Committee conducted an on-site fact-finding mission in the Respondent State to assess the situation of children facing accusations of witchcraft. The Committee’s Delegation convened meetings and consultations particularly in Abuja and Akwa Ibom State with government officials and visited some Government Facilities such as shelters, model school, and model health centre in Akwa Ibom State. The Delegation also held meetings with stakeholders in Abuja. The Committee commends the Respondent State for authorising and facilitating the fact-finding mission of the Committee. The compiled report of the mission has been sent to the Respondent State through the diplomatic channels and annexed to this Decision. VI. The Committee’s Analysis on the merits Alleged violation of Article 3 on non-discrimination and Article 13 on children with disabilities 44. The Complainants provide that children are subjected to witchcraft accusation on discriminatory grounds such as disability, orphanhood, physical illness, actual or perceived giftedness, ‘abnormal’ birth among other grounds. They further submit that children accused of witchcraft are discriminated against through abandonment, exclusion from formal education and deprivation of equal access to develop their full potential. In response, the Respondent State argues that it has adopted laws prohibiting discrimination through its constitution and the Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act of 2018. It also submits that Akwa Ibom State provides inclusive education for children with disabilities and caters for children affected by witchcraft accusation. It further contends that measures such as inclusive education in Akwa Ibom State and 12