A/HRC/43/42
I. Introduction
1.
The present report is submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolutions 28/6
and 37/5 on the mandate of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by
persons with albinism.
2.
Section II provides an overview of the activities undertaken by the Independent
Expert since her previous report to the Council (A/HRC/40/62). Section III refers to the
methodology used in preparing the report, while section IV focuses on women and children
impacted by albinism who are from different regions of the world. It should be noted that in
2017, the Independent Expert dedicated a report to the applicable international human
rights standards and related obligations addressing the issues faced by persons with
albinism, including women and children (A/72/131). The present report should be read with
these safeguards in mind.
II. Activities of the Independent Expert
3.
Since presenting her previous report to the Human Rights Council at its fortieth
session, held in March 2019, the Independent Expert undertook a country visit to South
Africa from 16 to 26 September 2019. The report of that visit will be issued as an
addendum to the present report. She also visited Brazil, from 28 October to 8 November
2019. The report of that visit will be presented at the forty-sixth session of the Council.
4.
During its thirty-fifth ordinary session, the African Union Commission adopted as
policy the Regional Action Plan on Albinism in Africa (2017–2021).1 The Plan was jointly
developed by the Independent Expert and various stakeholders in the region, including
organizations at the frontline of promoting the enjoyment of human rights by persons with
albinism. The African Union also decided that a special envoy would be appointed in 2020
to ensure the implementation of the Plan. Within the framework of the outcome of the 2012
dialogue between the special procedure mandate holders and the African Commission on
Human and Peoples’ Rights (the road map agreed in Addis Ababa), the Independent Expert
engaged African Union mechanisms in the achievement of these important milestones, and
intends to continue to provide technical assistance and advisory services in this regard.
5.
Throughout 2019, the Independent Expert organized and conducted numerous
advocacy activities around the world, including a series of capacity development
workshops for civil society organizations across the African region. 2 She collaborated with
academic institutions, United Nations agencies and the private sector in side events and
consultations. She also engaged with partners in conducting comprehensive research on the
issue of harmful practices relating to so-called witchcraft, a phenomenon that has led to
attacks against, ritual killings of and ritual rape of persons with albinism, particularly
women and children.
6.
In addition, the Independent Expert provided support to various awareness-raising
campaigns within the context of International Albinism Awareness Day on 13 June, which
included innovative advocacy tools such as the launching of billboards featuring persons
with albinism in New York City’s Times Square. She also continued to collaborate closely
1
2
2
The Executive Council of the African Union, during its thirty-fifth ordinary session, held in Niamey
from 4 to 5 July 2019, adopted and requested the African Union Commission to facilitate the
implementation of the Regional Plan of Action on Ending Attacks and Discrimination against People
with Albinism. See also A/HRC/37/57/Add.3.
With the support and collaboration of the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria,
Open Society Initiative for Eastern Africa, for Southern Africa and for West Africa, the Ford
Foundation, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the
United Nations country team in Mozambique, and the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights in Uganda.