Preliminary survey on the root causes of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism 2016, para. 21
Paragraph
Paragraph text
There are rare cases where persons with albinism are deified or viewed as having godlike qualities. For example, the Guna people in Latin America give a special place to persons with albinism as protectors. Tales of persons with albinism being considered as water deities or as natural chiefs have also been reported. While deification and positive supernaturalization of persons with albinism may appear to be desirable, this is not an ideal state because the person with albinism is still the subject of myths unfounded on fact or science. Consequently, their dignity remains grounded in subjective narratives and not in their objective status as human beings.
Legal status
Non-negotiated soft law
Body
Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism
Document type
Special Procedures' report
Means of adoption
N.A.
Topic(s)
Social & Cultural Rights
Year
2016
Paragraph type
Other
Reference
IE Albinism, Report to the UNGA (2016), A/71/255, para. 21.