Preliminary survey on the root causes of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism 2016, para. 43
Paragraph
Paragraph text
A witness reported: "witchdoctors told me that they kill persons with albinism and use their organs to make magic potions for their clients who want to become rich and successful". Similarly, a witchdoctor admitted to the use of bones of persons with albinism after being instructed by his ancestors, stating that "good witchcraft is when one uses organs of a dead person with albinism" while "bad witchcraft is when one kills a person with albinism for their body parts". In another interview, a witchdoctor explained that "from their hair to their bones, albinos are sought after. When we hear that an albino has died somewhere, we try to find out where he has been buried in order to recover some parts which are really important to help us … we even kill albinos because we need certain parts of their bodies". In addition to attacks against persons with albinism, such witchcraft beliefs have often led to the desecration of their graves.
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)
Harmful Practices
Violence
Year
2016
Paragraph type
Other
Reference
IE Albinism, Report to the UNGA (2016), A/71/255, para. 43.