UN condemns latest wave of albino attacks

The United Nations (UN) has said it is concerned about the resurgence of attacks and killings of persons with albinism in the country.

UN country representative Mia Seppo has since called on authorities to do more to prevent attacks, protect persons with albinism and provide assistance to victims, and to bring perpetrators to justice.

Seppo’s statement comes hours after the former president of Association of People with Albinism (Apam), Gilbert Daire, was attacked in the wee hours of yesterday.

According to reports, alleged albino body parts hunters stormed Daire’s  home in Kawale, Lilongwe.

Daire’s attack is the sixth case of albino attacks reported in Lilongwe this year.

In an interview yesterday, Seppo said the UN strongly condemns the latest wave of attacks and killings.

She said: “The UN calls for action on all fronts to implement the National Response Plan: remaining law reform, strengthened investigation and prosecution, victim assistance and a national wide awareness raising campaign as recommended by the independent expert.”

According to Seppo, all stakeholders need to redouble their efforts in collaboration with the authorities to stop the attacks.

She also encouraged the authorities to move forward as a matter of priority with legislation regulating the work of traditional healers in Malawi, in line with its recent commitment to the UN Human Rights Council.

In a separate interview, Daire said he saw the thugs removing window panes from  his unfinished house.

When he charged at them, and they attacked him, he called for help and the attackers escaped into a nearby maize garden. However, the community hunted down the thugs and captured one of them.

“Fortunately enough, one of body parts hunters failed to escape and he was arrested by the community, who took him,” said Daire.