A/HRC/31/63
I.
Introduction
1.
The present report is submitted by the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of
human rights by persons with albinism, Ikponwosa Ero, pursuant to Human Rights Council
resolution 28/6.
2.
On 3 July 2015, the Human Rights Council appointed Ms. Ero of Nigeria as the first
mandate holder on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism. She assumed
her duties on 1 August 2015. The Independent Expert would like to thank the Council for
the trust that it has placed in her with the important task of fulfilling this mandate as the first
mandate holder. She commits herself to do so in an impartial and constructive manner and
in accordance with the requirements set forth by the Council. She would also like to express
her gratitude to the numerous civil society organizations with which she has already
engaged and to affirm her strong commitment to her role as Independent Expert.
3.
This is the Independent Expert’s first report to the Human Rights Council. In it, she
reflects on the degree to which persons with albinism are able to enjoy their human rights,
presents her vision for the mandate and identifies matters of priority.
II. Setting up the mandate
A.
Mandate of the Independent Expert
4.
The mandate of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by
persons with albinism was established by the Human Rights Council on 26 March 2015 in
resolution 28/6, as follows: to engage in dialogue and consult with States and other relevant
stakeholders; to identify, exchange and promote good practices relating to the realization of
the rights of persons with albinism and their participation as equal members of society; to
promote and report on developments, challenges and obstacles relating to the realization of
the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism and to make recommendations in
that regard to Council; to gather, request, receive and exchange information and
communications from and with States and other relevant sources; to conduct, facilitate and
support the provision of advisory services, technical assistance, capacity-building and
international cooperation in support of national efforts; to raise awareness on the rights of
persons with albinism and to combat stereotypes, prejudices and harmful traditional
practices and beliefs; to promote awareness of the positive contributions of persons with
albinism and to inform them about their rights; and to report to the Human Rights Council,
starting at its thirty-first session, and to the General Assembly.
5.
In discharging the mandate, the Independent Expert will be guided by Council
resolution 23/13 on attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism and resolution
24/33 on technical cooperation for the prevention of attacks against persons with albinism.
The Independent Expert will also base her work on the preliminary report of the Office of
the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on persons with
albinism (A/HRC/24/57), submitted to the Council at its twenty-fourth session, and the
report of the Human Rights Council Advisory Committee on the study on the situation of
human rights of persons living with albinism (A/HRC/28/75), submitted to the Council at its
twenty-eighth session. At the regional level, the African Commission on Human and
Peoples’ Rights resolution 263 on the prevention of attacks and discrimination against
persons with albinism will also be at the core of the work of the Independent Expert. In its
resolution 69/170, the General Assembly proclaimed 13 June as International Albinism
Awareness Day.
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