WUNRN
ALBINISM - UN PRELIMINARY REPORT -
DISCRIMINATION - HUMAN RIGHTS - WOMEN & GIRLS
FULL REPORT:
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United Nations |
A/HRC/24/57 |
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General
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Distr.: General 12 September 2013 Original: English |
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Persons with Albinism
Report of the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights*
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Summary |
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This preliminary report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism is submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 23/13 of 13 June 2013. |
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In some communities, erroneous beliefs and myths influenced by superstition put the security and life of persons with albinism at risk. |
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OHCHR has received information from various countries on cases of killings and dismembering of persons with albinism for ritual purposes. It has also collected information on the multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination persons with albinism face worldwide. |
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States should adopt specific measures to protect and preserve the rights to life and security of persons with albinism, as well as their right not to be subject to torture and ill-treatment, and ensure their access to adequate health care, employment, education and justice. |
Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited condition present at birth. In almost all types of albinism,[1][1] both parents must carry the gene for it to be passed on, even if they do not have albinism themselves. The condition is found in both genders, regardless of ethnicity and in all countries of the world.
Albinism results in a lack of pigmentation (melanin) in the hair, skin and eyes, causing vulnerability to the sun and bright light. As a result, almost all people with albinism are visually impaired and are prone developing skin cancer. There is no cure for the absence of melanin.
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Discrimination against women and children
74. 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 (see para. 21 above) and women with albinism are sometimes victims of sexual violence.[2][2]
75. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women has referred to women with albinism as a group of women in a vulnerable situation, meaning that they are at risk of being victims of multiple discrimination.[3][3] According to the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, violence against women is deeply rooted in multiple layers of discrimination and inequality. As these layers of discrimination intersect, violence against women intensifies. Addressing systematic discrimination and marginalization is crucial to ending violence against women (see A/HRC/17/26). In her 2012 report to the Council, the Special Rapporteur included witchcraft-related killings under gender-related killings (A/HRC/20/16, paras. 14 and 16).
76. The Committee on the
Rights of the Child has also expressed serious concerns at reports of killings
of and attacks against children with albinism, addressing this issue under the
right to equality and non-discrimination (art. 2 of the Convention), among
other rights. In the case of
Direct Link to Full 2013 Report
Discrimination against women and children
74. 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 (see para. 21 above) and women with albinism are sometimes victims of sexual violence.[4][1]
75. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women has referred to women with albinism as a group of women in a vulnerable situation, meaning that they are at risk of being victims of multiple discrimination.[5][2] According to the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, violence against women is deeply rooted in multiple layers of discrimination and inequality. As these layers of discrimination intersect, violence against women intensifies. Addressing systematic discrimination and marginalization is crucial to ending violence against women (see A/HRC/17/26). In her 2012 report to the Council, the Special Rapporteur included witchcraft-related killings under gender-related killings (A/HRC/20/16, paras. 14 and 16).
76. The Committee on the Rights of
the Child has also expressed serious concerns at reports of killings of and
attacks against children with albinism, addressing this issue under the right
to equality and non-discrimination (art. 2 of the Convention), among other
rights. In the case of