April 9, 2009, Kathmandu, Nepal: The Asian Human Rights Commission has taken up the cause of a Nepali woman accused of witchcraft, after being informed of her plight by the Jagaran Media Center (JMC).

The woman, 45-year-old Kalli Kumari Bishwokarma of Pyutar village (shown at right), was assaulted and forced to eat excrement by other villagers until she “admitted” she was a witch. When JMC journalists heard about the case, they traveled to the village with a human rights team and rescued Ms Kumari BK, her husband Chet Bahadur, and their 17-year-old daughter.

JMC, a partner of The Advocacy Project, is pushing for the arrest of the attackers and calling on Nepal’s elected officials, human rights groups, and civil society to demand justice for the victims.

The AHRC is aiding in that effort through a letter-writing campaign urging police and government officials to take action on the woman’s behalf. Supporters can to send letters electronically through the group’s online form.