Nairobi – Amnesty International says the killing of a woman with albinism in Malawi highlights the government’s shocking failure to protect the right to life and personal security of this vulnerable minority.
The global human rights body said in a news dispatch on Thursday that the mutilated body of Eunice Phiri, 53, was found on Jan. 28 in the Kasungu National Park.
Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s Director for Southern Africa, said it was the government’s obligation to protect the citizens.
“Her arms had been cut off – a practice common with ritual murders where people with albinism are killed for their body parts which are sold for use in witchcraft.
“It is deeply worrying that there’s poor security for people with albinism in Malawi despite an increasing number of attacks against them.
“The government’s human rights obligations require them to protect everyone’s right to life.
“They must ensure that the police have the resources to protect those at risk of attacks.
“These crimes must be investigated and those suspected of responsibility brought to justice without recourse to the death penalty,” Muchena said.
In 2015 alone, 45 incidents including killings and attempted killings, abductions and attempted abductions as well as opening of the graves of people with albinism were reported by activists in Malawi.
The Amnesty International’s said some of those who were abducted had never been seen again.
According to the report the attacks against people with albinism by individuals and gangs increased sharply in 2015.
The report also alleged that children were withdrawn from schools by their families fearing attacks.
Muchena said in November 2015, Amnesty International researchers met people with albinism and their families who described how they live in constant fear of attacks and abuses.
According to him, some had to move from rural to urban areas for their own safety.
“The government must take urgent action to protect people with albinism and to address the root cause of the violence and discrimination they suffer,” said Muchena. (PANA/NAN)