From the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), it is reported, according to the submission of one of United Nations human rights experts that people with albinism living, in rural Tanzania, continue to live in fear amid widespread attitudes that lead to violence against them.
The UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism, Ikponwosa Ero, reportedly noted that more work was needed to address witchcraft and educate the public. At the end of her 11-day visit to Tanzania, she hammered on the need for a readdress, especially in rural areas.
“People with albinism continue to live in a very fragile situation, as the root causes of the attacks against them remain rampant, and the effects of over a decade of violations have taken their toll. People are still living in fear, particularly in rural areas.”
However, it was equally reported that Ms. Ero welcomed a drop in the number of reported attacks and praised the Government for its work to tackle the issue – which is rooted in the mistaken belief that the body parts of people with albinism have value in witchcraft practices.
“I welcome the measures already taken by the Government and civil society, and the decrease in the number of reported attacks. There have been positive measures to address witchcraft practices, including the registration of traditional healers.”
“However, full oversight over their work has still not been achieved, and confusion still exists in the minds of the general public between witchcraft practice and the work of traditional healers.”
Ms. Ero highlighted that skin cancer, rather than attacks, was one of the biggest threat to the lives of people with albinism, and said it was another area where more could be done.
“It is heartening to see the Government working in partnership with civil society in health and education, most notably in providing visual aids and in the use of mobile clinics to prevent skin cancer. But these programs are in dire need of stronger Government involvement, to reach more people and to ensure that the work is sustained.”
Ms. Ero, according to the report, also highlighted concerns over the use of schools as protection centers for children with albinism, which in some cases have evolved from temporary shelters into long-term accommodation.
“Despite the good protective intentions in referring children with albinism to school-based shelters, it appears that they are no longer temporary. Students who go on to secondary school or college have no choice other than to return to the shelters during school holidays as they are simply too afraid to go back to their own homes. I received similar reports concerning primary school-aged children boarding at these shelters.”
Ms. Ero welcomed a significant reduction in the overall number of children in the shelters, and praised the authorities for their efforts to reunite the children and their families, but added that more work remained to be done.
“The Government must continue educating the public and and strengthening protection measures, as it appears that some communities and families are not ready to receive these children back.”
Correspondent: Ridwan A Olayiwola
