MHRC launches public inquiry on albino persecutions

Taxpayer-funded Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has organised a public inquiry focusing on the attacks against people with albinism.

The commission, in its mandate to promote and protect human rights, has instituted the inquiry to generate evidence from experiences and interrogate causes of the violence and deprivation of rights.

MHRC has since called on members of the public, civil society organisations (CSO’s), private sector institutions and government agencies to, by August 19 2016, provide written or oral submissions of testimonies in the form of experiences and information, among others, on the status of human rights of persons with albinism.

“The submissions should in particular cover issues relating to the rising trends of attacks against persons with albinism, as well as the violations of human rights that persons with albinism face generally, the adequacy or inadequacy of prevention and response interventions, as well as the experiences in interacting with service providers and duty bearers,” reads part of a statement published in the media.

According to MHRC, all testimonies received will be treated with the “utmost” confidentiality and used for the sole purpose of the public inquiry.