Malawi: People with albinism under threat in Malawi
Thousands of people with albinism and their families in Malawi have been living in fear of attacks, including killings, abductions and mutilations. There are grave concerns for the safety and security of people with albinism across Malawi. At least 11 people with albinism have been killed in Malawi since December 2014.
UA: 51/16 Index: AFR 36/3585/2016 Malawi Date: 8 March 2016
URGENT ACTION
PEOPLE WITH ALBINISM UNDER THREAT IN MALAWI
Thousands of people with albinism and their families in Malawi have been living in fear of
attacks, including killings, abductions and mutilations. There are grave concerns for the
safety and security of people with albinism across Malawi. At least 11 people with
albinism have been killed in Malawi since December 2014.
Thousands of people with albinism live in fear of being abducted or killed in Malawi, where their body parts are
being sold for use in witchcraft. At least 11 people with albinism are known to have been killed in Malawi since
December 2014, while five others have been abducted during the same period and their whereabouts remain
unknown. In 2015 alone, 45 other crimes against people with albinism, include attempted abductions and opening
up of graves in search of bones of dead people with albinism, were reported.
A nine-year-old boy with albinism, Harry Mokoshini, of Moto Village in Machinga district was abducted on the
night of 26 February by a group of unidentified men who broke into his family’s home. The men threatened his
mother and injured her as they took the boy away. A head was discovered in a neighbouring village on 3 March. It
was confirmed to have been that of Harry Mokoshini. No one has been arrested for this crime.
Eunice Phiri, a 53 year old woman with albinism, was tricked by three men, including her brother on 23 January to
accompany them on a trip to Zambia. Eunice Phiri’s body was found by a herdsman on 28 January with her arms
chopped off in Kasungu National Park.
With attacks against people with albinism increasing, families have withdrawn children from schools for fear of
attacks. Some families have moved to urban areas for safety. The right to freedom of movement for people with
albinism has severely been restricted as many need to be accompanied by family members for their safety.
Please write immediately in English or your own language:
Expressing concern over the safety and security of people with albinism in Malawi following reports of
killings, abductions and attempted abductions;
Urging the government to urgently provide effective protection for people with albinism including by
protecting their right to life and personal security, in accordance with Malawi’s international human rights
obligations and commitments;
Calling for prompt, thorough and transparent investigations into the death of Eunice Phiri and Harry
Mokoshini and for those suspected to be responsible to be brought to justice through trials that meet international
standards of fairness.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 19 APRIL 2016 TO:
President of the Republic of Malawi
His Excellency Professor Peter Arthur
Mutharika
Office of the President and Cabinet
Private Bag 301
Capital City
Lilongwe 3
Malawi
Fax: +265 1 773 954/ 789 273
Salutation: Your Excellency
Inspector General of Police
Mr Lextam Kachama
National Police Headquarters
Private Bag 305
Capital City
Lilongwe 3
Malawi
Salutation: Dear Sir
And copies to:
The President
Bonface Massah
Association of People with Albinism
c/o FEDOMA
Private Bag 797
Limbe, Blantyre
Malawi
Email:
albinismassociationmw@gmail.com
Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please insert local diplomatic addresses below:
Name Address 1 Address 2 Address 3 Fax Fax number Email Email address Salutation Salutation
URGENT ACTION
PEOPLE WITH ALBINISM UNDER THREAT IN MALAWI
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited condition present at birth. 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 to developing skin
cancer. There is no cure for the absence of melanin.
The majority of people living with albinism in Malawi live in rural areas in extreme poverty. Erroneous beliefs and superstitions
have put the safety and lives of people with albinism at risk, including from killings, abductions, and mutilations. Ritual killings of
people with albinism are influenced by superstitions and myths that their bones or body parts can bring riches. This has been
the main basis even in cases of abductions, attempted abductions and other violence towards people with albinism in Malawi.
The few perpetrators who have been arrested in the past have either been acquitted or given lighter sentences. Societal
attitudes about albinism are not changing and people with albinism continue to be at risk of attacks with some children being
abducted and sold by family members
Malawian President Peter Mutharika issued a statement on 19 March 2015 condemning attacks on people with albinism, and
calling on police to arrest perpetrators and provide protection to people at risk of attack. Although some arrests were made,
concerns remain about the inadequacy of police investigations and some perpetrators getting sentences which were not in line
with the gravity of the crime.
Name: People with albinism in Malawi
Gender m/f: Both
UA: 51/16 Index: AFR 36/3585/2016 Issue Date: 8 March 2016