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