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Witchcraft and the human rights of persons with albinism 2017, para. 86
- Paragraph text
- Similarly, research on the root causes of attacks, including witchcraft, is necessary to refine prevention and protection measures. As specific witchcraft-related beliefs and practices tend to arise from specific contexts, supported by different concepts and described by a diversity of terms, research has to be undertaken with particular attention to the specific sociocultural context.
- Body
- Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Harmful Practices
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Witchcraft and the human rights of persons with albinism 2017, para. 25
- Paragraph text
- Witchcraft beliefs and related practices are not simply the repetition of ancient traditional practices; they can change or develop. While some beliefs and practices appear to have ancient origins that have been both preserved and adapted to contemporary contexts, other practices, such as the use of body parts from persons with albinism, are apparently of recent origin. In that regard, it would constitute a "new tradition" or an "invented tradition" that has been adapted or is adaptable to contemporary society. Some stakeholders suggest that attacks against persons with albinism are a recent phenomenon because of the rapid spread of the problem across multiple countries in the last 10 years. For example, stakeholders in Malawi and in Mozambique repeatedly stated that the use of body parts of persons with albinism was not a traditional practice in their respective countries and that it had developed recently, influenced by practices in other countries. However, there are insufficient data to support this assertion. In addition, even if it were substantiated, attacks and the use of body parts linked to witchcraft practices could not take hold so quickly in a country unless there was already a context facilitative of witchcraft beliefs and practices.
- Body
- Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Harmful Practices
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Vision for the mandate 2016, para. 19
- Paragraph text
- The Independent Expert intends to address the impact of witchcraft on the human rights of persons with albinism as a harmful traditional practice and as one of the root causes of ritual attacks. This will require careful understanding, definition and delineation of the practice, the form it takes and the effects it has on persons with albinism.
- Body
- Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Harmful Practices
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
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
- Topic(s)
- Harmful Practices
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Preliminary survey on the root causes of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism 2016, para. 71
- Paragraph text
- In a context where factual and scientific information on albinism is generally lacking or remains inaccurate, the disfiguration caused by skin cancer of persons with albinism may serve to strengthen myths and witchcraft beliefs, particularly those that supernaturalize and dehumanize persons with albinism. Given that such disfiguration is particularly commonplace where attacks have been reported, the prioritization of health interventions is bound to prevent illness, early death and attacks.
- Body
- Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Harmful Practices
- Health
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Preliminary survey on the root causes of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism 2016, para. 33
- Paragraph text
- The Oxford dictionary defines witchcraft as "the practice of magic, especially black magic; the use of spells and the invocation of spirits". However, it appears that witchcraft has many connotations and is subject to many interpretations, such that "objective definitions of witchcraft are unsatisfactory because its real meaning derives from relationships, shared experiences and individual feelings", and consequently "meanings of witchcraft are so varied because the concept is so versatile".
- Body
- Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Harmful Practices
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Witchcraft and the human rights of persons with albinism 2017, para. 33
- Paragraph text
- The Independent Expert has received reports that demand for body parts for the purpose of muti or juju has led to the existence of a black market, at the national, regional and international levels, for body parts of persons with albinism. While there is often evidence of trafficking and attempted trafficking of body parts, evidence of the market for the parts is more indicative than substantive at present. It is therefore important to conduct further investigative studies and research to map patterns of trafficking of body parts, including on the alleged markets or points of sale, and on the international networks that may be involved.
- Body
- Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Harmful Practices
- Health
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Witchcraft and the human rights of persons with albinism 2017, para. 13
- Paragraph text
- In her report to the General Assembly (A/71/255), in which she provided a preliminary overview of the root causes of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism, the Independent Expert showed how interrelated factors, including the mythologization of albinism and a related lack of understanding of the scientific bases of the condition, poverty, witchcraft practices and other aggravating factors all contributed to ongoing outbreaks of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism. In the present report, the Independent Expert refers to "witchcraft" as "phenomena", to reflect the plurality of concepts, terms, practices and beliefs encompassed by the term.
- Body
- Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Equality & Inclusion
- Harmful Practices
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2017
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Preliminary survey on the root causes of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism 2016, para. 4
- Paragraph text
- Over the centuries and across the world, myths about albinism have been developed and have taken deep root in various cultures. Widespread and long-term ignorance about the condition has given birth to myths, some of them age-old and most of them erroneous. Such myths can be found in various regions of the world, as evidenced in the pejorative names used for persons with albinism across cultures and continents, including "dry pigeon peas", "ghost", "chicken", "strange being", "monkey", "fake white man", "goat" or the "devil in person".
- Body
- Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Harmful Practices
- Person(s) affected
- N.A.
- Year
- 2016
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
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