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.

UN Independent Expert Calls For Action To End Albino Killings

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.

UN Rights Expert To Assess Situation Of Attacks Of Albinos in Malawi

Ikponwosa Ero

United Nations Independent Expert Ikponwosa Ero will visit the country to assess the human rights situation of the people with Albinism.

A statement from Geneva dated April 14th 2016, indicates that the monitoring visit by Ms. Ero from 18 to 29 April 2016, comes as reports of the attacks of persons with albinism and the sale of their body parts continue to surface in the country.

“I look forward to this first official mission to evaluate the situation of human rights of persons with albinism in Malawi, make concrete recommendations, and identify good practices to promote regionally,” said Ms. Ero, who visits the country at the invitation of the Government.

UN says this is the first country visit ever by the UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism since the Human Rights Council established the mandate in March 2015.

“Attacks of persons with albinism and the sale of their body parts will be one of the main focusses of my visit. Yet, I cannot separate these crimes from other relevant and contributing human rights issues faced by this group in the spheres of health, disability, education, harmful traditional practices, among others,” she stressed.

The Independent Expert is tasked to report on developments and obstacles to enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism; identify and promote good practices; and combat stereotypes, prejudices, harmful traditional practices and beliefs that hinder the enjoyment of their human rights.

During her two-week visit, the human rights expert will travel to Lilongwe, Machinga, Zomba, Phalombe and Kasungu. She will meet with representatives of the executive, legislative and judicial branches, local and territorial authorities, the Malawi Human Rights Commission, civil society groups, including organisations of persons with albinism, and members of the diplomatic community. 

“I also give particular importance to meeting with persons with albinism as well as families affected by violations of the human rights of persons with albinism,” Ms. Ero added.

At the end of her visit, on Friday 29 April 2016, the expert will share with the media her preliminary observations at a press conference but will present a comprehensive report on her visit to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2017. 

Ms. Ikponwosa Ero from Nigeria was designated in June 2015 as the first UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism by the Human Rights Council.