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From: UNNews <UNNews@un.org>
Date: 4 May 2013 13:00:01 -0400
Subject: PERSONS WITH ALBINISM MUST NOT BE TREATED AS
“GHOSTS”, UN EXPERTS STRESS
To: news11@ny-mail-p-lb-028.ptc.un.org
PERSONS WITH ALBINISM MUST NOT BE TREATED AS “GHOSTS”, UN
EXPERTS STRESSNew York, May 4 2013 1:00PMA United Nations group of
independent experts today drew attention to discrimination against
persons with albinism in Tanzania, where they are the victims of
ritual attacks and are routinely mistreated.
"They are regarded as ghosts and not human beings who can be wiped off
the global map," said the group in a message marking Tanzania's
National Albinism Day. "People living with albinism [are] the target
of many false and harmful myths in several countries, especially in
the African region."
Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited condition
occurring in both genders regardless of ethnicity, in all countries of
the world. It can happen to anyone if both father and mother carry the
gene for it even if they do not have albinism themselves. Albinism
results in a lack of pigmentation in the hair, skin and eyes, causing
vulnerability to sun exposure and bright light.
In several African countries, it is believed that body parts of
persons with albinism possess magical powers capable of bringing
riches if used in potions produced by local witchdoctors. Some even
believe that the witchcraft is more powerful if the victim screams
during the amputation, so body parts are often cut from live victims.
Non-governmental organizations working in the field have documented
186 ritual attacks against people with albinism since 2000. Abductions
and killings were recorded in 15 African states.
"These are manifestations of the worst forms of cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment and can never be justified," the Special
Rapporteur on torture, Juan E. Méndez, said. "Under international
human rights law it is the duty of the State to afford protection to
persons with albinism against such barbaric acts."
People with albinism are not only brutally mutilated and tortured, but
also killed and often buried alive together with tribal chiefs so as
not to leave them in the grave alone. "These acts must be stopped and
the perpetrators must be brought to justice without delay," said
Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions,
Christof Heyns.
"States bear full responsibility to undertake thorough, prompt and
impartial investigations of all killings of persons with albinism, as
well as to adopt the necessary measures to bring an end to impunity
and prevent the recurrence of such killings," he added.
People living with albinism is that they are often rejected and
abandoned by their own families due to pressure from society, the UN
Independent Expert on minority issues, Rita Izsák, noted.
"Their stigma, the lifelong social exclusion and general
discrimination they face is a similar experience to those vulnerable
racial minorities because of their different skin colour," she said.
While numbers vary, in North America and Europe it is estimated that 1
in every 20,000 people have some form of albinism. In Tanzania, and
throughout East Africa, albinism is much more prevalent, with
estimates of 1 in 2,000 people being affected.
The Special Rapporteur on racism, Mutuma Ruteree underlined that
Governments must ensure that persons living with albinism have the
same opportunities as everyone else and that they are treated with the
same dignity.
Almost all people with albinism are visually impaired. They may also
have a shortened life span by lung disease or may develop
life-threatening skin cancers. The Special Rapporteur on health, Anand
Grover noted that they often do not receive the necessary health care,
and urged authorities to assess their needs to increase their life
chances.
Educating children about albinism is also important to prevent
discrimination against them, said the Special Rapporteur on the right
to educations, Kishore Singh. "There are now several educational
methodologies and guides to teachers that have proved efficient in the
course of educating children with albinism. These must be widely
promoted and applied."
The experts urged UN bodies such as Office of the High Commissioner
for Human Rights (OHCHR) to study the root causes of discrimination
and attacks on persons with albinism, and call on world governments to
raise awareness and educate the public at large about the true nature
of albinism.
"Dedicated national days, such as it exists in Tanzania can provide a
great opportunity to trigger more attention to and launch discussion
on the plight and needs of people living with albinism," they said.
"They are not ghosts; they are simply persons like you and us, but
living with albinism."
May 4 2013 1:00PM
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