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Preliminary survey on the root causes of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism 2016, para. 14
- Paragraph text
- This is the case, for example, in the myths that persons with albinism cannot see during the day but have excellent vision at night, that desirable minerals such as mercury and gold flow through their veins or that they float on water and cannot drown. Other myths seeking to dehumanize persons with albinism include those portraying them as cannibals or monstrous creatures in certain folktales, literature and films, or claiming that they can communicate with non-earthly or extraterrestrial beings.
- 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)
- Environment
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Preliminary survey on the root causes of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism 2016, para. 45
- Paragraph text
- It was reported that witchcraft beliefs and associated practices relating to the body parts of persons with albinism have led to an underground black market in the purchase and sale of body parts. This entire phenomenon seems to have no historical precedent. Yet there is a reasonable link between historical discrimination and stigma (including myths relating to disappearances and infanticide) on the one hand and the current situation of attacks on the other - the former laying the foundation for the latter.
- 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
Preliminary survey on the root causes of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism 2016, para. 83
- Paragraph text
- [The Independent Expert makes the following recommendations to States affected by attacks against persons with albinism:] [Legal action] Consider issuing practice directives and guidelines to complement and clarify existing laws and to facilitate the investigation and prosecution of cases of attack, particularly if the existing legislation needs to be reviewed to address the complexity of attacks against persons with albinism;
- 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)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Witchcraft and the human rights of persons with albinism 2017, para. 23
- Paragraph text
- From the sociological and anthropological perspectives, the following definition for witchcraft has been proposed by Marc Augé: witchcraft is "a set of beliefs, structured and shared by a given population that addresses the origin of misfortune, illness and death, and the set of practices for detection, treatment and punishment that corresponds to these beliefs". Often, the diagnostic aspect of witchcraft often pinpoints an individual person as the source of the misfortune within the family, place of employment or community.
- 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)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Harmful Practices
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- Families
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Witchcraft and the human rights of persons with albinism 2017, para. 24
- Paragraph text
- UNICEF extends this definition by adding that "witchcraft is a theory that explains and justifies a conception of the universe". With both conceptualizations, witchcraft could also be described as a religion or belief. In various countries affected by attacks against persons with albinism, witchcraft beliefs and practices are widespread. Adherents are found across various strata of society, transcending socioeconomic class, the urban-rural divide and levels of education.
- 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
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Witchcraft and the human rights of persons with albinism 2017, para. 56
- Paragraph text
- Countries with records of attacks against persons with albinism, including both countries visited this year by the Independent Expert, demonstrated the challenge of the ambiguity between the two practices. This problem has already been identified by the Independent Expert as a root cause of attacks. The issue is further complicated by the lack of effective oversight over the practice of traditional healers, the secrecy that often surrounds witchcraft practice and the absence of a clear national policy position on the issue.
- 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
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Witchcraft and the human rights of persons with albinism 2017, para. 79
- Paragraph text
- In 2008, the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking convened a workshop on human trafficking for the removal of organs and body parts, at which it was stressed that the Protocol does not take trafficking in human organs into full consideration: it addresses trafficking in organs only for the purpose of organ removal. It does not cover the transfer of organs (for profit) alone, a situation that is analogous to the trafficking of body parts of persons with albinism.
- 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)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Health
- Movement
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Preliminary survey on the root causes of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism 2016, para. 83
- Paragraph text
- [The Independent Expert makes the following recommendations to States affected by attacks against persons with albinism:] [Reasonable accommodation for visual impairment] Provide reasonable accommodation for visual impairment as well as adequate protective measures against attacks on persons with albinism in schools and at places of work;
- 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)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Witchcraft and the human rights of persons with albinism 2017, para. 29
- Paragraph text
- Although both children and adults are victims of attacks for the removal of body parts, civil society reports that children constitute the majority of victims. The apparent targeting of children is reportedly linked to the pursuit of innocence, which is believed to enhance the potency of the muti or juju. Further, children are more vulnerable to attacks because they are easy to find and capture and do not have the physical strength to fend off attackers.
- 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)
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Vision for the mandate 2016, para. 45a
- Paragraph text
- [The Independent Expert intends to identify and consolidate the measures to end and prevent attacks to persons with albinism in consultation with States, civil society, international and regional bodies and agencies as well as other stakeholders. The specific measures identified will be based on those already identified, particularly those adopted by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, namely:] Effective protection of persons with albinism and members of their families;
- 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)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Families
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Preliminary survey on the root causes of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism 2016, para. 8
- Paragraph text
- Similarly, myths accuse the mothers of children with albinism of having been unfaithful, specifically for having extraconjugal affairs with a white man, with a ghost or with a spirit such as the tokolosh (a malevolent spirit in the Shona tradition). There is also a myth that children with albinism are the product of incest.
- 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
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Preliminary survey on the root causes of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism 2016, para. 36
- Paragraph text
- The present report will focus on the aspect of witchcraft relating to the ritual killing of persons with albinism for the use of body parts (also referred to as muti or juju), for the ultimate goal of obtaining an advantage or causing harm, or for any other purpose which necessitates the attribution of supernatural powers to the body parts.
- 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
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Preliminary survey on the root causes of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism 2016, para. 44
- Paragraph text
- Rituals involving the use of body parts of persons with albinism have been reportedly used by football teams, wrestlers and musicians. Similar practices were reported for the purpose of winning an election, obtaining a job or promotion, or for business success.
- 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
- Person(s) affected
- Activists
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Preliminary survey on the root causes of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism 2016, para. 47
- Paragraph text
- Today, it is highly concerning that witchcraft beliefs surrounding albinism have spread widely and that persons with albinism are often nicknamed "asset", "money", "deal" or "million" in reference to the alleged value of their body parts. Such taunts are reportedly widespread in both rural and urban environments, particularly in countries where attacks on persons with albinism are reported.
- 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
Preliminary survey on the root causes of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism 2016, para. 78
- Paragraph text
- The specificities of attacks against persons with albinism and their relationship to witchcraft have shed light on the inadequacy of domestic laws in some affected States. Criminal law and laws dealing with trafficking in persons often do not take into consideration the practice of trafficking for witchcraft purposes human body parts that are not organs. The key legislative framework, including criminal law, faces several challenges in the prosecution of cases involving the phenomenon of witchcraft, as criminal charges have often been viewed as falling short of capturing the reprehensibility of witchcraft practices and of deterring them. Witchcraft also poses problems for the rules of evidence and fair trial because of the supernatural aspect of the phenomenon. This has often resulted in the use of "the best available" laws, which provide neither adequate criminal charges nor sentences deemed proportionate to crimes of this nature. When charges are deemed weak, sentences are perceived to be lenient, or affordable in the case of fines, and their deterrent capacity is weakened because the perpetrator is still able to foresee an overall gain or profit from his or her crime.
- 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)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Preliminary survey on the root causes of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism 2016, para. 29
- Paragraph text
- In addition, the myths fuel the discrimination and abuse to which persons with albinism are subject at school, and this increases bullying, taunting and harassment, which in turn increases their dropout rates. High dropout rates throw them into a cycle of poverty that is hard to break. Poverty in turn predisposes them to abuse and exposes them to attack.
- 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)
- Education
- Equality & Inclusion
- Violence
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Preliminary survey on the root causes of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism 2016, para. 53
- Paragraph text
- The livelihood of parents of children with albinism has also been affected by these atrocities. Owing to the need to stay at home and protect their children, parents do not tend their crops or go to market. Similarly, adults with albinism avoid attending to their farms and gardens as they used to. This has driven families already living in poverty into dire straits.
- 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)
- Poverty
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Families
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Preliminary survey on the root causes of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism 2016, para. 55
- Paragraph text
- While the majority of countries affected by attacks are among those with a low human development coefficient, one cannot conclude that there is a strict correlation between poverty, inequality and attacks. Yet it is undeniable that poverty is a common feature of most affected countries and that, combined with other factors, it contributes to and facilitates attacks against persons with albinism.
- 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)
- Poverty
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Preliminary survey on the root causes of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism 2016, para. 59
- Paragraph text
- Nevertheless, it is important to state categorically that none of the testimonies received by the Independent Expert supports the proposition that anyone, whether perpetrator, witchdoctor, traditional medicine practitioner, herbalist or buyer, has become wealthier after taking part in such attacks or after using charms and potions involving body parts of persons with albinism.
- 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
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Witchcraft and the human rights of persons with albinism 2017, para. 35
- Paragraph text
- Philip Alston has noted that reports from a surprisingly large number of countries in different regions of the world indicate that the intentional killing of individuals labelled as witches remains a significant and very troubling phenomenon; such killings are by no means a practice of the past.
- 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)
- Violence
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Witchcraft and the human rights of persons with albinism 2017, para. 63
- Paragraph text
- Both plans adopt a multisectoral approach intended to address albinism as a cross- cutting issue. This approach is necessary to expedite integration of the issue into existing departments while harnessing the varied expertise of stakeholders in the development of specific programmes aimed at persons with albinism.
- 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)
- Economic Rights
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
Paragraph
Vision for the mandate 2016, para. 23
- Paragraph text
- Challenges to ending impunity may include lack of confidence in the law enforcement or judicial system owing to fear of reprisals or stigmatization, ignorance of their rights or lack of financial resources. Barriers also subsist at the investigations level, where there might be difficulties in finding witnesses owing, inter alia, to stigmatization and discrimination, fear of reprisals (including through witchcraft), lack of comprehensive witness protection programmes, involvement of family members and lack of financial resources. Barriers subsisting at the prosecution stage may include restrictions in the implementation of the right to a fair trial and due process, such as the lack of adequate legal representation. In addition, even when perpetrators are successfully prosecuted, it has been reported that too often the sentence pronounced is not proportionate to the gravity of the crime committed. Such outcomes can undermine the trust of victims in the justice system and lead to a reduction in the number of cases reported. Other barriers to ending impunity can be found at the policy and legislative levels, including the need for a clear and adequate legal framework regarding albinism that covers attacks and the impact of witchcraft on the human rights of persons with albinism.
- 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)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Families
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Vision for the mandate 2016, para. 45d
- Paragraph text
- [The Independent Expert intends to identify and consolidate the measures to end and prevent attacks to persons with albinism in consultation with States, civil society, international and regional bodies and agencies as well as other stakeholders. The specific measures identified will be based on those already identified, particularly those adopted by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, namely:] Ensuring that victims and members of their families have access to appropriate remedies;
- 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)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Families
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Vision for the mandate 2016, para. 40
- Paragraph text
- Yet, there are several effective ways to prevent skin cancer, including the use of sun protection cream, which is topically applied, or wearing sun-protective clothing with long sleeves, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses. Given the accessibility and effectiveness of protective clothing, skin cancer could be significantly prevented at little cost with the right level of public education and early intervention programmes targeting persons with albinism and their families.
- 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)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Families
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Preliminary survey on the root causes of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism 2016, para. 83
- Paragraph text
- [The Independent Expert makes the following recommendations to States affected by attacks against persons with albinism:] [Legal action] Ensure that the practice of using body parts for witchcraft-related practices is adequately and unambiguously criminalized in domestic legislation;
- 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)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Harmful Practices
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Vision for the mandate 2016, para. 28
- Paragraph text
- According to information received, the erroneous beliefs and myths, including certain witchcraft practices, have led to the desecration of graves of persons with albinism. Such desecrations have been reported in at least seven countries in Africa. In the cases reported, graves of persons with albinism were open and body parts or bones were stolen.
- 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
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Vision for the mandate 2016, para. 29
- Paragraph text
- One of the main barriers to the implementation of the human rights of persons with albinism is discrimination and stigmatization, both of which are historically and culturally entrenched. Information on discrimination against persons with albinism has been received from around the world. However, the expression and severity of the discrimination faced by persons with albinism vary from region to region.
- 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)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Vision for the mandate 2016, para. 31
- Paragraph text
- Bullying of school-age children owing to their appearance has also been reported in other regions of the world, such as in sub-Saharan Africa. However, in that region, discrimination takes more extreme forms, including infanticide, physical threats and attacks. Lack of information on the condition facilitates the spread of myths to explain albinism, most of which are erroneous and in some cases dangerous, including myths that people with albinism are ghosts or the result of conception during menstruation or the result of a general curse. Life in that context could be described as a cycle of discrimination. Civil society has reported that ostracism of entire families owing to the strong negative connotation of the birth of a child with albinism, perceived as a source of misfortune in certain regions, contributes to infanticide and abandonment of children. Where there are no systematic birth and death records, identification and reporting of such cases are even more difficult. In some regions, children with albinism drop out of school for reasons linked to stigma and because no reasonable accommodation is made for the vision impairment often resulting from albinism. A lack of education combined with widespread absence of health information often lead persons with albinism to employment outdoors with no protection from the sun, which exposes them to a high risk of skin cancer.
- 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)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Harmful Practices
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Vision for the mandate 2016, para. 41
- Paragraph text
- Women and children with albinism are particularly vulnerable as they are exposed to intersecting and multiple forms of discrimination. In addition, children are particularly targeted for ritual killings and women are sometimes victims of sexual violence. The Human Rights Council Advisory Committee also stressed the specific challenges faced by women and children with albinism in that regard.
- 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)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Women
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph
Vision for the mandate 2016, para. 54
- Paragraph text
- The Independent Expert will also liaise closely with United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, regarding their work on persons with albinism. She wishes to stress the important role played by regional organizations, such as the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and looks forward to working closely with them.
- 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)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- Children
- Year
- 2016
Paragraph