From Alloyce Kimbunga in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania

SADC leaders meeting in Tanzania this week have been urged to intensify efforts 
to protect people living with albinism.
The vulnerable persons are subjected to murder and kidnapping for their 
body parts over false beliefs their limbs bring luck.
Approximately 150 persons with albinism have been killed in countries 
such as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Malawi, Mozambique and 
Tanzania since 2014 for their body parts.
Tanzania has reported the highest number of killings, 76, for the same 
period.
“SADC leaders must tackle the root causes of these targeted attacks to 
end the plight of persons with albinism who continue to be terrorised by 
criminal gangs across the region. As they meet in Tanzania this week, 
they must turn the tide against these horrendous crimes,” said Deprose 
Muchena, Amnesty International’s director for Southern Africa.
Muchena stated this ahead of the 39th SADC Heads of State Summit.
Human rights groups have lamented that criminal justice failures, such 
as poor handling of cases and evidence, to resolve cases of crimes 
against persons with albinism had driven the impunity and persistent 
crimes against this vulnerable group.
Criminal gangs have continued attacking albinos despite legal reforms in 
some countries.
Muchena said this was intolerable.
“SADC leaders must use this summit to send a clear message that those 
who perpetrate these attacks will be brought to justice,” Muchena said.
Albinism is a congenital disorder characterized in humans by the 
complete or partial absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes.

– CAJ News

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