Go beyond official condemnation, act
When rumours of abductions of people with albinism started making rounds on social media last week, I must admit that I was a bit skeptical and dismissed the social media buzz as just one of those fake stories that are aimed at causing unnecessary alarm.
How I wish it were indeed just a social buzz and nothing real. But no, it was real and happening again almost a month after the brutal attack and killing of a Nkhata Bay man with albinism, Yasin Phiri on New Year’s Eve, and the abduction of a baby with albinism in Karonga.
The past week has also seen the release of statements condemning the abduction of people with albinism.
Despite public condemnation of the attacks by President Peter Mutharika, opposition leaders, civil society organisations and Malawians in general, violence against people with albinism has continued at an alarming pace. Although some individuals have been arrested, charged and convicted, the majority of the cases remain unresolved. The charges and penalties often have not matched the gravity of the crimes.
The government of Malawi is obliged, under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa as well as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to protect, promote and fulfil the right to life, dignity, personal security and safety for all people in Malawi, including vulnerable groups such as people with albinism and ensure equal protection before the law.
Calls by people with albinism to respect their rights and stop hunting them as if they are wild animals, seem to be falling on deaf ears. What is more discouraging and wearing people with albinism’s patience thin, is that it seems the country is quick to issue statements of condemnation but there are no concerted efforts to arrest the evil practice.
It is hence, no wonder that some people with albinism want to seek asylum elsewhere as they feel the country has failed them. Indeed, those entrusted with the responsibility to protect every Malawian, have somehow failed in ensuring that the vulnerable are protected.
The statement from the leader of opposition, Lazarus Chakwera is commendable, but Chakwera should focus on offering solutions and working with the current leadership to end the killings and abductions of people with albinism. He should not wait until he is in government to implement his ideas. People are being killed now. There is no time to wait.
On the part of the police, they should stop wasting resources on trivia, such as arresting someone because they look ‘suspicious’.
The killing of people with albinism is mostly fueled by rumours that their body parts are magical—that one can easily get rich. Clearly this is a case of ignorance and primitive beliefs that have no place in a modern world. This is where the department of civic education should come in to sensitise the public to let go such beliefs.
It is quite commendable to condemn, but action is more needed now than mere lip-service.
