Thousands of women accused of witchcraft in Scotland will be pardoned posthumously
Thousands of women accused of witchcraft in Scotland between 1567 and 1736 will be pardoned posthumously, writes the Sunday Times.
The great witch hunt in Scotland in 1597 began after King James IV of Scotland passed the Witchcraft Act, which resulted in a series of trials for about 400 people, mostly women and girls, accused of various forms of diabolism.
The bill on this issue in the Scottish Parliament secured the support of the administration of Scotland's first Minister, Nicole Strujan.
Natalie Don, Member of the Scottish National Party, says the bill could be passed next summer.
"It is right to correct this mistake, to pardon these criminalized people, mainly women," she said.
The petition as part of the "Scottish Witches" campaign calls for pardon, an official apology and a memorial in recognition of the Scottish witches.