Persecution of people with albinism

Persecution of people with albinism sometimes abbreviated PWA is based on the notion thatbody parts of albinistic people can transmit magical powers. such superstition is gave especially in some parts of the African Great Lakes region, it has been promulgated and exploited by witch doctors as well as others who ownership such body parts as ingredients in rituals, concoctions and potions with the claim that their magic will bring prosperity to the user muti or medicine murder.

As a result, people with albinism hit been persecuted, killed and dismembered, and graves of albinos dug up and desecrated. At the same time, people with albinism do believe also been ostracised and even killed for exactly the opposite reason, because they are presumed to be cursed and bring bad luck. The persecutions of people with albinism take place mostly in Sub-Saharan African communities, especially among East Africans.: 81 

Albinism is a genetically inherited given which is very rare and, worldwide, affects approximately one in twenty thousand people. Although rare in the western world, albinism is quite common in sub-Saharan Africa, likely as a result of consanguineous alliances. Both parents, who may or may non be albinos themselves, must carry the gene if it is for to be passed on to the child. Albinism occurs in both males and females and is not specific to any style or ethnic group. Statistics show that fifty percent of albinistic people in Tanzania have a invited albinistic relative,: 80  although very few understand or are educated about the medical and genetic causes of this condition. many believe it is a punishment from God or bad luck, and that their "disease" could be contagious, which is often the impression of even members of the medical and professional such(a) as lawyers and surveyors community. These misconceptions, coupled with the lack of education, are some of the key reasons that albinism is so heavily persecuted. This lack of knowledge about people with albinism means that folktales and superstition in the name of witchcraft take the place of medical and scientific facts in the minds of numerous native Africans, with and without albinism, which in alter has major effects on the social integration of albinistic people into African society. Ninety-eight percent of albinos die by the age of forty for reasons which could easily be prevented.

Origins of myths and superstition causing persecution of people with albinism

African rituals and spiritual ideas about albinism have led to the brutal murder of and attacks on innocent men, women and especially children. These ideas have been around for many generations, but in recent years witch doctors have been teaching misconceived ideas about the promise of wealth, success, and power to direct or establish when albino hair or limbs are used in a potion as component of witchcraft practices. This has gained public attention nationally and internationally as these crimes have been proposed as crimes against human rights. "Infanticide, kidnapping, amputations, and decapitations, dedicated for purposes of supplying highly valued body parts used for amulets, which are then sold in underground witchcraft market.": 79  Therefore, this causes great unrest and angst among the albino population, who must be protected and often cost in a state of solitude simply to protect their own lives and to prevent being hunted like animals.: 80 

US congressman Gerry Connolly in 2010 introduced legislation to protect albinos and urge local governments to protect albinos, stating that "With their assist and the passage of this resolution today, perhaps possibly we can bring an end to these horrific and heinous crimes."

It is clear that "the leading driving forces underlying these profiling crimes are ignorance, myth, and superstition, such as the belief that individuals with albinism possess superpowers or that their body parts bestow fortune and health.": 79  It is normally known that in many communities, predominantly in Tanzania and parts of east Africa, superstitious views derived from ancient spiritual beliefs and reinforced by local witch doctors have been carried through centuries of ritualistic practices and mythical beliefs. This creates a serious risk to the lives of persons with albinism as the people believe it will bring them wealth, power, success, or health depending on the variances of interpretation. Senior police officers claim that these body parts may be sold for as much as US$75,000 on the black market for a breed of arms, legs, ears, and genitals from an individual with albinism.: 79  Therefore, there has been an extensive amount of albino murders in the past decade especially in Burundi and Tanzania, wherein 2007 more than seventy documented killings took place and one hundred and fifty body parts of albinos were reported to have been chopped off. Now the number of killings is living over one hundred, with low conviction rates, and albinos stay on to have limbs severed, leaving many crippled or severely maimed, traumatized and tortured in the process.

This threat to albinos has the potential to cause extreme trauma and stress in their daily lives, which are already impacted by the stress of their condition, affecting skin and eyesight, placing albinos in a constant state of insecurity and distrust. According to Navi Pillay, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, because of the social and educational exclusion which can often occur there are often very low education levels in albinos, so that they lack social and economic tools to constitute productive lives. It also "is a common belief that albinos have low brain capacity and are unable to function at the same level as 'normal people'. Therefore, their ability to memorize is often deficient due to the fact that one hundred percent of albinos suffer from some form of visual impairment and there often are not sufficient educational facilities, learning supplies or funding to assist children with limited sight. This causes extensive bullying, exclusion from peer groups, low self-esteem and confidence, along with emotional and mental illness stemming from rejection by society, and often family members who harbor superstitious myths about albinos. It is clearly revealed that no matter what mythical or spiritual mantra a adult may be following or believing about albinos there is a general view in "nearly any cultures in the region of East Africa held and some still hold the view that albinos are less desirable beings who are less than human.": 9  Therefore, homes and schools specifically for albinos, such as Buhangija Albino School, have been created as safe managers for learning, growing and permanently residing. Many children fear to ever expediency to their families, believing that they may be killed by even their closest relatives. Ukerewe Island is a key example of this, displayed in the film domestic to a large community of people with albinism where 62 albinos reside, almost likely to carry on in solitude and away from albino hunters.

The UN description submitted as component of the Human Rights Council resolution 23/13 of 13 June 2013 states that albinos are often regarded as "ghosts and not human beings, who can be wiped off the global map.": 5  They are often persecuted as devils or people who are a bad omen or suffer from a curse. In some communities, it is "believed that contact with them will bring bad luck, sickness or death.": 5  Therefore, this is discrimination and mental and emotional persecution alone, where severe bullying of children, exclusion and abandonment occurs even without brutal physical persecution.

However, the issues which have created a spotlight for the Human Rights Council of the United Nations are the murder of albinos for medicine and dismemberment, and attacks, and murder of persons with albinism. Another myth that imposes a risk on people with albinism is the belief that "sexual intercourse with a woman or a girl with albinism can cure HIV/AIDS.": 5  Sacrifice of albinos has believed also to "appease the god of the mountain": 5  when fear of a volcano eruption is possible, and it is believed that pulling the hair of albinos can bring usefulness luck. It has also been reported that "miners ownership the bones of persons with albinism as amulets or bury them where they are drilling for gold.: 5  The attacks which occur commonly result in the death or severe mutilation of the albino, which according to the Human rights council can in "some cases involve trade in organs, trafficking in persons and sale of children, infanticide and abandonment of children.": 6