{{The United Nations has expressed concern over the slow progress of albino murder cases in Tanzania, which shows high level of impunity and vulnerability of people with albinism in the country.}}
The report — entitled ‘Persons With Albinism’, released last week by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights — said that of the 72 murders of people with albinism documented since 2000, only five cases are known to have resulted in successful prosecutions.
“While some investigations and prosecutions seem to be taking place, sentencing appears to be extremely rare. We are concerned about the high number of reported incidents in Tanzania and the limited number of court cases and slow proceedings in this regard,” reads in part the report.
The report noted, however, that the Attorney General’s Chambers informed the OHCHR that a special task force was assisting law enforcing authorities in the investigation and prosecution of the cases, which could result in successful prosecutions.
The report also unveiled a list of 15 African countries where the killing of people with albinism is still rampart. Top in the list is Tanzania where the latest death was the murder of a seven-year old boy on January 31, 2013.
Burundi, Kenya, Swaziland and Guinea followed in the list. About 22 people have been killed in Burundi so far, while in Kenya 12 people with albinism were murdered.
In total there were 124 reports of killings, assaults and robberies targeting people with albinism in Tanzania.
About 72 of these led to killings, while 35 assaults left albinos severely mutilated.
There were 15 robberies and two failed similar attempts. Other countries mentioned in the report where albino murders take place include Nigeria, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zambia and Namibia.
The other countries include Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Mali, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Mozambique, Botswana and Cameroon.
NMG
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