A/HRC/RES/55/18
Expressing grave concern at the fact that attacks and widespread violence continue to
be perpetuated against persons with albinism, in particular women and those in vulnerable
situations, including children, persons at the intersection of disability and older persons,
Welcoming all initiatives and actions taken by all States to address and combat all
forms of violence and discrimination against persons with albinism,
Welcoming also in this regard the ongoing work of the Independent Expert to address
harmful practices related to accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks 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, and calling upon States to reach the
furthest behind first, including persons with albinism,
Calling upon States to ensure accountability through the conduct of impartial, speedy
and effective investigations into attacks against persons with albinism, to bring to justice
those responsible and to ensure that survivors and family members have access to appropriate
remedies,
Welcoming the consultations conducted by the Independent Expert with relevant
stakeholders in various regions, including Africa, culminating in Africa in the development
of a regional action plan to end human rights violations and abuses against persons with
albinism and the subsequent Africa Union Plan of Action to End Attacks and other Human
Rights Violations Targeting Persons with Albinism in Africa (2021–2031) as a continentwide policy in Africa,
Noting with appreciation the work and achievements of the Independent Expert in
preparing analytical studies and holding discussions on harmful practices relating to
accusations of witchcraft and ritual attacks as a particular risk to persons with albinism in
some countries and as one of the root causes of attacks perpetrated against them,
Taking note with appreciation of the most recent reports of the Independent Expert
aimed at ensuring that persons with albinism are not left behind in discussions pertinent to
their enjoyment of rights, presented to the Human Rights Council, on human rights defenders
with albinism and/or working on albinism,1 and to the General Assembly, on persons with
albinism on the move,2
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
on the impact of climate change on persons with albinism, 3 in which the mandate holder
highlighted the expected increase in the incidence of skin cancer, which particularly affects
persons with albinism given their susceptibility to skin cancer, and in this regard calls upon
States to increase their efforts to ensure the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable
standard of physical and mental health for persons with albinism;
3.
Encourages States, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, to
take effective measures to address the health-related effects of climate change on persons
with albinism with a view to realizing their right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable
standard of physical and mental health, particularly regarding the alarming incidence of skin
cancer in this population, and to implement the recommendations made in this regard by the
Independent Expert in her report;
1
2
3
2
A/HRC/52/36.
A/77/199.
A/78/167.