7. On the basis of the submissions of both parties, the hearing conducted, and the findings of the Committee’s fact-finding mission, the Committee hereby renders its decision on Communication No 017/Com/001/2021 during its 46 th Ordinary Session held from 26 November to 06 December 2025 in Maseru, Lesotho. II. Summary of alleged facts 8. The Complainants allege that a significant number of children between the ages of 3 and 14 years in Nigeria are affected by accusations of witchcraft practices. It is submitted that 81 per cent of children in street situations are affected by witchcraft accusations and subsequent abuses. The Complainants allege that the practice of witchcraft accusations is deeply rooted in the belief systems, cultures, and traditions of certain communities in Nigeria, and that cases have been documented in several States including Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Kaduna, Nasarawa and Taraba States. The Complainants further submit that affected children include children in street situations; children with disabilities, including children with albinism and children with autism; and children born as twins, prematurely, or in breech positions. Moreover, the Complainants submit that children who exhibit certain physical or behavioural characteristics, such as red eyes, avoiding eye contact, or unusual patterns of staring, are often accused of engaging in witchcraft practices. 9. The Complainants allege that perpetrators of the violence include family members, community members, and certain religious actors. They further submit that children accused of witchcraft are subjected to serious and multiple forms of violence, including severe physical assault leading, in some instances, to death; killings; burning by fire or acid; forced ingestion of poison; hazardous labour; and starvation. It is further alleged that children accused of witchcraft accusation are stigmatized, discriminated against, abandoned, tortured, in some cases buried alive, and are denied their basic rights such as education and health care. 10. The Complainants contend that the practice of child witchcraft accusation has increased notably in the Niger Delta Region where the practice is entrenched in certain religious beliefs. They submit that children accused of witchcraft continue to be persecuted and refer to concerns expressed by that the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child during its Consideration of the State Party’s report of the Respondent State regarding violations of the rights of such children. 11. While acknowledging that the Constitution of Nigeria has provisions that safeguard the right to life, dignity, personal liberty, and freedom from discrimination, the Complainants allege that the Government of Nigeria has failed to effectively enforce these protections by failing to investigate and prosecute alleged perpetrators and failing to undertake measures to protect children who are affected by witchcraft accusation. The Complainants provide examples of reported cases where the police refused to investigate and prosecute the alleged perpetrators. 12. On the basis of the foregoing, the Complainants allege that the Respondent State violates the following provisions of the Charter: 3