The United Nations Independent Expert on the rights of persons with albinism, Ikponwosa Ero has asked Malawi Government to put its efforts into action if the battle to end attacks and killings of people with albinism is to be won.
She made the call in Lilongwe at the end of her first visit to Malawi to assess situation of people with albinism from April 18 to 29, 2016.
While welcoming the launch of the Government’s Response Plan on albino attacks in March 2015 and commend its content, Ero feared that the absence of resources attached to the plan has drastically delayed its implementation.
“Such an emergency situation needs an emergency response, and I saw insufficient action taken to date." Observed Ero
She stressed that stronger leadership, a greater profile, and elevation for the issue is necessary along with the provision of adequate resources, which could be found, for example, within the Office of the President and Cabinet under the leadership of a high ranking official.
"If such a solution is adopted, it should include the expertise of the Department of Disability of the Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare." She emphasised
Ero said although Malawi has done well in terms of condemning attacks, however there is need to “turn” speeches “into action because action so far has been week”, “In terms of political will in comparison to what I have seen happening elsewhere, I would give them (Malawi) an eight over ten, on action they are not passing” she said
Malawi is registering frequent reports of attacks, abductions and killings of Persons with albinism and even the remains are robbed from graveyards. These atrocities occur due to the misbelief that their body parts can grant benefits such as wealth and good luck when used in witchcraft. The body parts allegedly sell for high prices, on the black market.
To date, according to the police, 65 cases have been registered since late 2014. At least two other incidents occurred while the expert was in the country.
Ikponwosa Ero has since warned that the atrocities faced by persons with albinism in Malawi render them “an endangered people group facing a risk of systemic extinction over time if nothing is done.”
The UN expert has described the Malawi situation as “an emergency, a crisis disturbing in its proportions.”
“Given the relatively small population size of people with albinism in Malawi - reported to be a little less than ten thousand - attacks against a few of them constitutes a danger to all of them,” she stressed.
While in Malawi, Ero observed that persons with albinism and parents of children with albinism are not living peacefully since abductions are occurring from homes that do not have wooden doors or locks.
She indicated in her report that due to constant fear, persons with albinism cannot walk alone and for the safety measures persons with albinism particularly children have dropped out of school and that even their parents have stopped attending to their gardens as they need to stay home to protect their children.
The expert further found the situation as “disturbing” because of the frequent involvement of close relatives in cases of attacks making persons with albinism unable to trust even those who are supposed to care for and protect them.
“The situation of people with albinism in Malawi is critical, this is not business as usual it requires urgent reaction.” Noted Ero in an interview while calling African leader to treat issue of albino killings just like they are treating issues of saving elephants from extinction
“These are human beings that are facing similar endangerment so we require critical response. This is an emergency and it requires emergency response.” She stressed
The expert said the other best way that Malawi can eradicate the problem is to address the root causes of attacks, in particular why they are happening.
“Enhanced Investigative research is necessary.” She noted, “To date, no investigation has been identified neither the markets for body parts or final recipients. Too often it is only perpetrators at the end of the chain that are caught and sentenced, while those commissioning the offence are not apprehended. Stronger cooperation between Police and Department of Public Prosecutions and adequate resources will facilitate the collection of evidence needed to fight the demand side of this macabre market”
Ero has recomended stiffer sentences to convicted criminals that reflect the gravity of the crime, amendment of some outdated legislations and stop granting bails to suspects as their early return to communities increases the fear among persons with albinism.
She observed that more immediate measures are necessary, such as a judicial direction that cases be handled only by professional magistrates. She also recommended training for police, prosecutors and magistrates to increase knowledge of the current legislative framework applicable to these cases.
The UN expert also recommended basic interventions such as providing security features such as iron bars and proper doors in the homes and schools where people with albinism lives as well as creating help line and appointing a person with albinism to high ranking positions.
Furthermore, recomendations also calls for urgent and coordinated response from the Government, civil society and development partners working in strong partnership with each other, stressing the principle of ‘nothing about us without us’, which includes the involvement of organizations of persons with albinism at every step, where the process cannot be led directly by them.
Among others, Ero has commended the protection measures adopted by community police and some traditional authorities as well as the support provided by communities to their members with albinism.
“The quick intervention of neighbours during attacks has in various cases led to the rescue of persons with albinism and to the arrest of perpetrators,” she said
The Independent Expert will produce a full report and recommendations to be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2017.
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