Last Friday, I received a post on the Malawi Association of Secular Humanists (ASH) mailing list pleading for funds to help free three elderly women,Liness Nkhukuyalira (83) Kanthunkhako Supaunyolo (80) and Nurse Nthala (75) (pictured, left), who had been languishing in prison for witchcraft related offenses. There are well over 50 people in Malawian prisons for witchcraft crimes. George Thindwa, a member of ASH and a tireless defender of secular rights, managed to secure the release of three of them in exchange for a fine of approximately $30, an incredible sum for the typical Malawian.

Immediately, I posted pleas for donations from friends and members of the University of Michigan community. The response was overwhelming. Many came from friends and acquaintances, but others came from all quarters of the UM community. We managed to raise over $600, well above our target of $250 (fines, transport and household money). The remaining money will be set aside to aid others who may be have the opportunity to be released in the future. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE. This is a great step not only for the Malawian Humanists, but also for human rights.

Witchcraft accusations in Malawi predominantly occur in extremely poor areas, are largely directed at elderly women who live alone, and orphaned children who must live with relatives. Often the accused are mentally ill or epileptic. The accusers are overwhelmingly children. Cases are heard with little evidence, and a lack of financial resources and education among the accused prevent them from defending themselves against prosecution.

I wired George money on Saturday, and he immediately left for the court on Monday morning, paid their fine and received their release orders. He then drove to the prison secured the ladies’ release and let them stay in his home for the evening. He then transported the women back to their villages in Salima, and arranged a meeting with the local chiefs.

The back story is that the child pictured at the right with the red shirt developed a nose bleed one night and claimed Ms. Supaunyolo beat him on the nose because he had lost the key to her magic plane. The family then went to the village headman, who contacted police and had Ms. Supaunyolo tried and imprisoned.

The release of these three women garnered the attention of all of the major Malawian news outlets, in addition to being featured on the BBC (update forthcoming). It is hoped that the awareness of cases such as this will lead to the release of the other 50 or so people held on witchcraft related crimes, and for the courts to cease prosecuting them.

What happens to the women in their villages is, of course, of grave concern. However, the alternative, dying in the squalid conditions of a Malawian prison, are far worse. We can very much only hope that the incident is forgotten and that the members of the village reconcile. George spoke with the village leaders, and it is hoped that the village chiefs can work to ensure that cases like this never happen again.

Until then, THANK YOU. The small contributions that everyone made had MASSIVE impacts in the lives of these three women and will send waves of positive effects for human rights in Malawi. Below are pictures of the release letter from the court, and of Mr. Thindwa with a village leader. Listed below that are people who are still in prison for withcraft related offenses who await release.

Release letter from the court.

George Thindwa with the village headman.