A/71/255 Report of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism: a preliminary survey on the root causes of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism Summary In the present report, the Independent Expert considers how interrelated factors, including myths, poverty, witchcraft practices and other aggravating factors such as visibility and appearance, contribute to ongoing outbreaks of attacks against persons with albinism and exacerbate pre-existing contexts of discrimination and stigma. The report is not aimed at providing a final analysis of root causes, but at igniting preliminary discussions to facilitate subsequent conclusive work on the subject. Contents Page I. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 II. Root causes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 A. Myths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 B. Impact of myths on persons with albinism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 C. Witchcraft beliefs and practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 D. Impact of witchcraft beliefs and practices on persons with albinism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 E. Poverty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 F. Aggravating factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Conclusions and recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 III. 2/21 16-13196

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