Albino Grouping Urge Parliament To Allocate Resources, Review Necessary Laws For Fight Against Albino Killings

Bonface Massah

Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi (APAM) stresses that the ongoing Budget Meeting of the National Assembly should allocate resources for the fight against dreadful attacks and killings of persons with albinism.

President for the association, Bonface Massah said resources are needed to fight the criminals who are adept in the attacks and added that relevant legislations also be reviewed in this Meeting of National Assembly to support the prosecution of cases of albino attacks.

Massah was speaking at the press briefing in Lilongwe on Wednesday, when the National Technical Committee on Abuse of Persons with Albinism in Malawi chaired by Dr. Hetherwick Ntaba was providing details of progress and action plan for response to the abductions, killings and exhumation of the remains of persons with albinism.

He warned that if the Parliamentarians will spend time in the House without addressing the problem then “They are killing us”

He stressed that the response to the problem should not only be the word of mouth but with resources and that “Investigations must be urgent” as well.

On Tuesday, Malawi has recorded a fresh brutal murder in Ntcheu district of a male albino aged 38 who has been identified by police as Fletcher Masina picture found here He was attacked while in his garden and attackers chopped off his arms, legs and private parts.

Referring to this case, Massah said even him as person championing the rights of persons with albinism is not safe and that without concrete efforts to curb the situation, persons with albinism will all die. 

He also called for speedy prosecution involving albino attacks.

Later in an interview, Massah said “Government has accepted that this is a crisis and that is why we are calling Parliament to also address this with a crisis response. Normally parliament has mandate to allocate resources when we have crisis or disasters in our country and this is one clear a crisis that we are experiencing in Malawi that needs urgent attention by our parliament.” 

He said adequate budgetary allocation should be channeled to the Ministry of Health in order to address the health needs of people with albinism, to Ministry of Home Affairs for Police investigations and police trainings on how to tackle the problem.

“Parliament must ensure that each budget that they are passing this year must have clear response to our needs and even setting aside special funds that will really respond to the current crisis that we are experiencing like to deal with altitudes and special needs that people with albinism have.” He stressed

He also explained that apart from resources, people with albinism wants the House to review weak laws that Malawians have been highlighting as one of the contributing factor to the lighter sentences that courts have been handing to convicted criminals. 

“That is also a key role that Parliament must play to support the response that has been taken by various stakeholders.” He emphasized

Technical Committee’s Work Progress

Ntaba

Chairperson for the Committee, Hetherwick Ntaba announced that short term actions have been identified by his committee and there is progress in terms of implementation.

“The mapping exercise to identify the population of person with albinism across the country for targeted interventions has started and is being coordinated by the Ministry of Local Government. The ministry will involve the TAs (Traditional Authorities), Group Village Heads and Village Heads in this task” disclosed Ntaba expressing hope that this will make it possible to reach many of the persons with albinism 

He outlined that there will be continued awareness campaigns on albinism issues to stop attacks, speedy investigations and prosecutions of criminal suspects, investigative and intelligence research to establish loot cause of attacks, regulation of traditional healers since the attacks are allegedly perpetrated by myth that body parts of albinos can bring fortunes when used in magic.

On health related needs for persons with albinism Ntaba said the Ministry of Health shall provide sunscreen lotions, supply of protective clothing including hats and sunglasses to persons with albinism. 

“They will also alert their clinicians to look out for possible skin cancer complications in patients with albinism at the clinics” he added

Mr. Ntaba further mentioned that Ministry of Education will also put into Boarding Schools with appropriate security arrangements all children who are failing to go to school for fear of being attacked.

Ntaba also hinted that there are mid- and long-term plans lined up for implementation and would like to have the National Response Plan on attacks of persons with albinism fully implemented. He mentioned that the plan will among other things trainings for magistrates, police prosecutors and investigators, and address health needs for the persons with albinism.

Ntaba also noted that although the committee does not have resources, a lot can be done without finances because this is a human issue that requires collect efforts by being each brother’s keeper. However, he said resources are necessary but “let not lack of resources stop us from protecting persons with albinism”

Persons with albinism in Malawi are being attacked, killed and even their remains exhumed due to the disbelief that their body parts can grant benefits such as wealth. 

On 5th May 2016, President Peter Mutharika instituted the National Technical Committee on Abuse of Persons with Albinism in Malawi with mandate of discussing and reach agreements with all stakeholders and oversee implementation of agreements, initiatives and strategies with an aim of ending increased and gross violation of human rights of persons with albinism. 

The multi-sectoral committee comprises institution such as Office of President and Cabinet, Line Ministries of Information, Gender, Justice, Health, Home Affairs, Local Government and Education. It also included Malawi Police Service, the Judiciary, The Association of People with Albinism, Association of Traditional Healers, and Citizens Alliance representing civil society organizations in Malawi. There are also stakeholders from the donor community.

Malawi Ready “To Deal Accordingly” With Albino Attackers

President Peter Mutharika has warned people masterminding barbaric attacks and killings of people with albinism that they will be dealt with “accordingly” if they don’t stop the malpractice.

He was speaking at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Thursday evening when he met with the Association of People with Albinism in Malawi (APAM)

“I want to assure you that my Government will not tolerate this malpractice, which has brought fear and sense of insecurity among persons with albinism, their relatives and friends. This is evil, and a threat to the most fundamental human rights in our constitution. And we will deal accordingly with those that are associated with this barbaric act.” Warned Mutharika

“I would like to repeat my warning to would-be offenders: Stop abducting, maiming, killing or exhuming remains of people with albinism. Do not even think or plan anything in that line. You will be sorry for the rest of your life.” Emphasized Mutharika

This was a very significant encounter with the group in terms of discussing and map the way forward in protecting and promoting the life and rights of people with albinism who are being attacked for the misbelief that their body parts brings fortune.

At the very beginning the Malawi leader said the meeting with APAM was “serious business” and a clear testimony of the commitment that the Government and the Association have, to protect and promote the life and rights of people with albinism.

President Mutharika who reminded APAM that he has been making several pronouncements before on the matter, said the audience with them was mainly seeking to hear directly from APAM about their experiences, views on government efforts so far, and proposals that Government must execute in order to end this barbaric act.

“It is disheartening to learn of the rising incidences of abductions, killings and exhumations of the remains of people with albinism.” He said “Two months ago, we were talking of about 50 cases. Today, we have 66 cases recorded, for abductions, trespassing of graveyards, being found with human bones, suicide, assault of bodily harm, conduct likely to cause breach of peace, and killings of people with albinism.” Recounts Mutharika 

Mutharika indicated that as of Wednesday, now total registered cases of albino attacks is at 66, whereby there has been; 14 Kidnappings, 6 Killing, 3 Missing Persons, 28 Tampering with graveyard, 2 Assault of bodily hard, 1 Conduct Likely to cause breach of peace and 12 Found with human bones.

The President further mentioned that police investigations have shown that almost every district people with albinism are living in danger unlike in the past where the cases were happening in few districts.

“But Government has intensified the fight, and has so far arrested 69 suspects, and is prosecuting them.” Said Mutharika and thanked all who tipped off police about the suspects then called upon all Malawians to be vigilant and report any suspected cases to the nearest police

“We should all be our brother’s keeper.”  He appealed but reminded people not to use mob justice once they apprehend suspects by urging, “Please report them to police.” 

He in the same vein urged Traditional Leaders and all Malawians to protect persons with albinism “Let us work with the police to establish community policing in our areas and report to the police any suspicious characters. Let me also ask the Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare and her counterparts to urgently engage the Traditional Healers Association of Malawi to come up with ways on how to eliminate these atrocities of persons with albinism.”

President Mutharika mentioned that Government is taking serious steps against this criminal behavior and added “we are overcoming it.”

He mentioned that Government has intensified surveillance and investigations, and also intensified working relationship with the APAM. 

“I have also set up a technical Committee which will monitor the implementation of the initiatives that Government has put in place to curb the malpractices. The Committee comprises officials from Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Office of the President and Cabinet, Police, Intelligence, Ministries of Home Affairs and Internal Security and Justice and Constitutional Affairs. The Committee will report to my office on the progress being made.”

While thanking Police for the job well done so far in apprehending the culprits, Mutharika also asked them to do more. 

“Abducting, maiming, killing or exhuming the remains of people with albinism is criminal. Treat the suspects accordingly. I know you have secured 12 successful convictions and 2 acquittals. Let’s keep aiming higher.” He urged then also commended the Judiciary for prioritizing cases, and encouraged them to consider giving the stiffest sentences to the culprits

Mr. Bonface Massah, President of the Association of People with Albinism in Malawi (APAM) who spoke on behalf of the Trustees of the APAM and members of the delegation said people with albinism are in danger.

“It is clear that we are still living in great fear and it is clear that we are still facing a lot of challenges in terms of stigma and discrimination and it is really true that until today Malawi hasn’t had a perfect solution to end this attack.” Said Massah who hoped that the recommendations from the meeting will address the current challenges

He said this is a worrisome situation and warned that with current population of people with albinism and current pattern of attacks if nothing is done to stem the tide, then all people born with albinism faces risk of systematic extinction in next ten years. 

He also expressed gratitude with Government decision to establish a special taskforce on the matter “We hope it will bring out key changes in the lives of persons with albinism. For the past years it is very clear we have failed as a nation but we believe this is a new chapter for all people with albinism in Malawi to really reflect on the current situation and immediately have interventions that will address our current challenges.”

Before the meeting was held in camera, President Mutharika also announced that his Government will, on 13th June this year, join the rest of the world in commemorating the International Albinism Awareness Day, in line with the United Nations General Assembly resolution 69/170 of 18 December 2014.

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.

United Nations Independent Expert on the rights of persons with albinism, Ikponwosa Ero who recently paid visit to Malawi to assess situation of people with albinism from April 18 to 29, 2016, requested Government to put its efforts into action if the battle to end attacks and killings of people with albinism is to be won.

“The situation of people with albinism in Malawi is critical, this is not business as usual it requires urgent reaction.” Noted Ero and called on African leaders to treat issue of albino killings just like they are treating issues of saving elephants from extinction

Ero further encouraged Malawi to focus on the investigation to identify the markets for body parts and final recipients including addressing the root cause of these atrocities.