Addressing Albino Discrimination in The Society

ALBINISM is a genetic deficiency of melanin pigment production in which the carrier, either a person or animal, possesses very white skin, white hair and pink eyes. It is usually inherited as an autosomal recessive condition. The carrier of the syndrome is generally regarded as an ‘Albino.

Approximately one in seventeen thousand (17,000) persons worldwide has one of the types of albinism. 
Women who give birth to children with albinism are often repudiated by their husbands and their families, because they are not aware that both parents must carry the gene to pass it onto their children. Further, children with albinism are frequently abandoned by their parents or, more sporadically, the victims of infanticide, because of the appearance of their skin, the disabilities they may have as a result of their condition, and the belief that they may be a source of misfortune.

The worst expression of discrimination against persons with albinism is their dehumanization, which lays the foundation for horrifying physical attacks against them. Because some believe that they are magical beings or ghosts, they mutilate or even kill them so their body parts can be used for witchcraft rituals.

Attacks against people with albinism 
Hundreds of ritual attacks against persons with albinism, particularly children, have been reported in various countries. Many more cases remain undocumented or unreported because of the ostracism of victims and their families, as well as the secret nature of witchcraft. The violence is largely met by social silence and indifference, and is seldom followed by investigations or the prosecution of perpetrators.
Persecution of people with albinism  is based on the belief that certain body parts of albinistic people can transmit magical powers. Such superstition is present especially in some parts of the African Great Lakes region, it has been promulgated and exploited by witch doctors and others who use such body parts as ingredients in rituals, concoctions and potions with the claim that their magic will bring prosperity to the user.

A voice for people with albinism
Until recently, international and regional human rights mechanisms had only sporadically addressed the needs of persons with albinism. Since June 2013, because of the recrudescence of attacks against them these bodies have given more attention to persons with albinism.

Moreover, in response to the call from civil society organizations advocating to consider persons with albinism as a specific group with particular needs that require special attention, on 26 Mars 2015, the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted resolution 28/L.10 creating the mandate of Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights of persons with albinism.

This important new mandate will help give a voice to people with albinism and contribute to their protection through greater awareness-raising; annual reporting at the Human Rights Council on specific concerns; and the provision of advisory services and technical assistance to Member States, in order for them to implement specific measures for the protection of persons with albinism within their borders.