CRPD/C/20/D/23/2014
persons with albinism suffer from different forms of persecution and discrimination, many
of which are grounded in deep-rooted myths.7
2.8
The author submits that he was attacked because of the belief that the body parts of a
person with albinism provide wealth and prosperity. This belief is widespread in the United
Republic of Tanzania and has resulted in an increase in persecution of persons with
albinism to feed a black market that circulates body parts of such persons. Children are
increasingly being targeted, since it is believed that they have innocent souls and that their
body parts have stronger magical power to bring wealth. 8 Among the attacks reported in
2011 and 2012, seven involved children, the youngest being seven months old. The author
submits that the life and physical integrity of persons with albinism are permanently at risk
in the United Republic of Tanzania. 9
The complaint
3.1
The author alleges that the State party violated his rights under articles 4, 5, 7, 8, 14,
15, 16, 17 and 24 of the Convention. He claims that the State party has failed to provide
him with the protection he has needed as a child with albinism, and has therefore put him at
a permanent risk of being attacked. These practices are known by the State party, but it
does not take any action to protect children and young persons with albinism who are in a
situation of very high vulnerability. The author therefore argues that the lack of intervention
of the State party in the case of the author amounts to a violation of article 4 of the
Convention.
3.2
The author also claims that the State party has not taken reasonable steps to ensure
that persons with albinism are not discriminated against on the basis of their impairment.
He submits that, as a child with albinism living in the United Republic of Tanzania, he has
suffered humiliations, insults and marginalization. The failure of the State party to
investigate effectively his case and similar cases, and to prosecute the perpetrators,
constitutes a violation of his rights to equality and non-discrimination, in violation of article
5 (2) and (3) of the Convention.
3.3
The author argues that the State party has failed to provide a safe and secure
environment, as it has not ensured that persons with albinism are protected from attacks,
violence, threats and any other forms of intimidation. The State party has left persons with
albinism to the mercy of anyone who wants to hunt their body parts. In his case, as a child
with albinism, the author submits that the State party has failed to fulfil its obligations to
provide security for and protect the human dignity of children with disabilities, thereby
violating his rights under article 7 of the Convention.
3.4
The author submits that the State party has not taken appropriate measures to raise
awareness throughout society in regard to persons with albinism. Furthermore, the State
party failed to provide the author with any form of medical assistance or rehabilitation. He
therefore considers that the State party violated his rights under article 8 of the Convention.
3.5
The author argues that the permanent risk he is facing, and against which the State
party has not taken any measure, has obliged him to stop attending school and has therefore
prevented him from enjoying his right to education. He considers that the lack of protection
by the State party’s authorities amounts to a violation of his rights under article 24 (1) of
the Convention.
7
8
9
www.stiefel.com/content/dam/stiefel/globals/images/products/HatsOnSkinHealth/Hats_On_For_Skin_
Health_Fact_Sheet.pdf.
The author attaches to his communication a list of the most common myths associated with albinism
in the United Republic of Tanzania, which include such beliefs as: (a) albinism is a curse from God; (b)
persons with albinism are ghosts and thus never die; (c) having sex with an albino woman can cure
AIDS; (d) body parts of a person with albinism can be magically used to generate wealth; (e) persons
with albinism only come from Africa; and (f) the birth of a child with albinism is attributable to the
mother.
Ibid.
The author submits that the situation of persons with albinism in the United Republic of Tanzania was
highlighted as a matter of concern in the thirty-fourth activity report submitted to the African Union
Assembly of Heads of State and Government.
3