Ghildren with albinism |
Ms Ikponmwosa Ero, a Nigerian albino, says there is a rise in the number of targeted attacks, including mutilation and murder, of persons with the albinism disorder.
She made the remark while addressing delegates at the UN Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Committee in New York on Friday.
Ero, Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Human Rights by Persons with Albinism, said the perpetrators harvest the body parts for sale on the black market for thousands of dollars.
``The grim trend had grown out of a belief that such body parts would bring wealth and good luck when used in witchcraft rituals and potions.
``Such attacks highlight impunity for perpetrators, the possible involvement of a wealthy and powerful elite and the use of temporary shelters as long-term dumping grounds for children with albinism.
``Women and girls bear the brunt of discrimination and stigma, with women facing sexual violence and rape due to a belief that they could cure HIV and AIDS’’, she said.
She stated that civil society groups had reported hundreds of such attacks in at least 25 countries.
Ero said that children made up a large proportion of victims due to a belief that their innocence somehow “augmented the potency.”
Since assuming her mandate on Aug. 1, 2015 as independent expert, she said at least six countries had reported attacks.
To address those issues, she said the Human Rights Council had adopted five resolutions.
Albinism, she said, occur in every race and ethnicity, regardless of gender, but its frequency varied from region to region.
She said that it had different forms, including a rare form that affected the eyes alone but nearly all human rights problems centred on albinism affecting the skin.
She said her vision and plan of action included working with affected states on ways to end attacks and identifying human rights instruments that would respond to the related issues faced by persons with albinism.
She told delegates that she would also focus on incorporating albinism in national and international agenda, raising awareness and ending myths and stereotypes.
The independent expert said she would conduct awareness-raising initiatives at the African level to address states’ concerns with regard to the lack of awareness on the issue of albinism.
She held that persons with albinism faced a wide range of human rights violations, which could be addressed through diverse international instruments and mechanisms.
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