Last year, the United Nations (UN) officially declared June 13 as International Albinism Awareness Day.
Tomorrow, the UN and Malawi Government will, therefore, join the rest of the world in marking the first International Albinism Awareness Day. This important day gives us the opportunity to further raise awareness of albinism and strongly denounce all forms of violence, discrimination and exploitation against persons with albinism which are taking place in Malawi.
The UN Human Rights chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein has condemned the widespread killings of persons with albinism in some African countries. In particular, he warned there is a sharp increase of “vicious” killings of persons with albinism in Malawi and Tanzania. The UN recorded at least nine cases of killings or attempted abductions or disappearances of persons with albinism in Malawi since the beginning of 2015 and eight such cases in Tanzania since August 2014. In Burundi, at least 19 persons with albinism have been killed since 2008.
Albinism is a genetically inherited condition that prevents the body from producing melanin, the pigment that colours skin, hair and eyes. In some African countries, persons with albinism are not regarded as humans and they are killed as their body parts are considered essential ingredients for black magic potions. Many people with albinism are living in abject fear. Some no longer dare to go outside, and children with albinism have stopped attending school.
The killing, trafficking and abduction of persons with albinism violates the right to life, liberty and security and the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment, as enshrined in various international human rights treaties to which Malawi is a party. In its resolution 23/13, the UN Human Rights Council expressed concern about attacks against persons with albinism often committed with impunity, together with widespread discrimination, stigma and social exclusion as a result of their skin colour.
The UN welcomes the statement by President Peter Mutharika on March 19 this year condemning attacks on persons with albinism, and calling on security agencies to arrest people responsible for such attacks and provide maximum protection to persons with albinism.
The majority of attacks are against women and children who are particularly vulnerable, and face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination. In addition, children are particularly targeted for ritual killings, and women with albinism are sometimes victims of sexual violence. Addressing this systematically as well as all other forms of discrimination and marginalisation is crucial to ending violence against women. These crimes are abhorrent. People with albinism have the right to live, like anyone else, without fear of being killed or dismembered. The authorities need to step up efforts to bring the attackers to justice. Public awareness campaigns should also be launched to end the stigma associated with albinism.
To address the issue of attacks against persons with albinism in Malawi, the Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Patricia Kaliati unveiled a five-point plan of action in March 2015, supported by the UN. The plan includes:
1). The development of an education and awareness programme, with the organisation of national and local public meetings and increased cooperation with civil society organisations.
2) The strengthening of community policing.
3). The undertaking of research to understand the root causes of attacks.
4). Support for the prosecution in trials on albinism-related crimes, appeal against light sentences and the provision of psycho-social support to victims of attacks.
5). The review and enactment of existing legislation as well as the adoption of new laws deemed necessary to ensure the protection of people with albinism.
Since the President put all security agencies on high alert, a number of people have been arrested and prosecuted by the authorities. On 16th March, a magistrate sentenced a man to two years imprisonment for abducting his niece, a girl with albinism, the first such conviction in Malawi. This sentence was subsequently appealed by government.
We urge that the government’s action plan is fully implemented and call upon the authorities to take prompt and firm action to ensure accountability for crimes committed against people with albinism by investigating and prosecuting all such cases. We also call on the authorities to take effective measures to protect persons with albinism and provide victims and their families with effective remedies, redress and rehabilitation, including medical, legal and psychosocial support.
We reiterate our commitment to work closely with the government of Malawi, civil society and other relevant stakeholders in this regard. n
