A/HRC/RES/37/5
Expressing grave concern at the fact that attacks and widespread violence
perpetuated against persons with albinism, including women and children, persons with
disabilities and the elderly continue,
Welcoming all the initiatives and actions taken by all Member States to address and
combat all forms of violence and discrimination against persons with albinism,
Welcoming also in this regard the ongoing work to address witchcraft-related
harmful practices as one of the root causes of human rights violations and abuses
perpetuated against persons with albinism, and to engage with stakeholders and carry out
analytical studies in order to enable States to take effective action,
Inviting States to effectively implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development and its principle of leaving no one behind, which requires the prioritization of
those furthest behind, including the enjoyment of all human rights by persons with
albinism,
Calling upon States to ensure accountability through the conduct of impartial,
speedy and effective investigations into attacks against persons with albinism falling within
their jurisdiction, and to bring to justice those responsible and to ensure that victims and
family members have access to appropriate remedies,
Welcoming the regional consultations conducted by the Independent Expert on the
enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism with relevant stakeholders in various
regions, including Africa, and culminating in the development of a regional action plan to
end violations against persons with albinism,
Welcoming also the recent work of the Independent Expert in preparing analytical
studies and holding discussions on harmful practices relating to witchcraft as a particular
risk to persons with albinism in some countries and as one of the root causes of attacks
perpetrated against them,
Recalling all previous resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and the Human
Rights Council on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism,
1.
Commends the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by
persons with albinism for the important work undertaken to end attacks on and to spread
awareness about persons with albinism;
2.
Takes note with appreciation of the thematic report of the Independent
Expert,1 which deals, in particular, with attacks and human rights violations in countries
where certain harmful practices, including witchcraft-related practices, have served as one
of the root causes of attacks, and in this regard welcomes the Regional Action Plan on
Albinism in Africa (2017-2021) to end attacks in Africa;
3.
Decides to extend the mandate of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment
of human rights by persons with albinism, for a period of three years, on the same terms as
provided by the Human Rights Council in its resolution 28/6 of 26 March 2015;
4.
Requests the Independent Expert to integrate a gender perspective throughout
the work of the mandate and to pay specific attention to the challenges and needs of women
and girls in order to address the multiple, intersecting and aggravated forms of
discrimination faced by women and girls with albinism;
5.
Calls upon all States to cooperate fully with the Independent Expert and to
respond favourably to her requests to visit their countries and to ensure follow-up on her
recommendations, to provide her with all necessary information relating to the mandate and
to react promptly to her communications and urgent appeals in order to enable her to fulfil
the mandate effectively;
6.
Encourages the United Nations, including its specialized agencies, and
regional organizations, national human rights institutions, independent experts, non-
1
2
A/HRC/37/57.