Mozambique: Justice minister promises protection for albinos – Watch

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Mozambique: Justice minister promises protection for albinos – Watch

3:33 CAT | 13 Jun 2022

Photo. Ministério da Justiça, Assuntos Constitucionais e Religiosos

No crime against albinos will go unpunished in Mozambique, declared Justice Minister Helena Kida in Maputo on Monday.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark International Albinism Awareness Day, Kida called for a determined fight against the myths and superstitions surrounding albinism, and which have led to the hunting, mutilation and murder of people suffering from this skin disorder.

#AconteceAgora Simpósio alusivo ao Dia Internacional de Conscientização sobre o Albinismo

Estamos unidos em tratar as pessoas com albinismo como iguais e em fazer suas vozes serem ouvidas!

Feliz #IAAD #AlbinismDay! pic.twitter.com/K8kSjAfPCf

— ONU Moçambique (@ONUMocambique) June 13, 2022

“There are clear signs of the violation of the human rights of albinos”, she said. “We know that people suffering from albinism have been murdered, and all those involved will be held responsible”.

Kida said there are “complex social stigma” associated with albinism, which result in the persecution of people suffering from this condition. The government, she added, is implementing a National Plan of Action on Albinism, which seeks to protect the rights of albinos.

Among the actions being taken is a fight against trafficking in people and in human body parts. Albinos are particularly vulnerable to this trafficking because of beliefs that albino body parts possess magical powers, and that rituals involving them can confer wealth or power.

Kida said the government also wants to provide albinos with psycho-social support and quality health care. The lack of melanin in the skin of albinos makes them highly vulnerable to diseases caused by the ultra-violet radiation of the sun, including skin cancer.

Kida pledged that the government will step up awareness campaigns to protect human rights, particularly the rights of albinos.

A representative of UNESCO, Paul Gomis, told the meeting of his horror at the recent murder of an albino in the northern province of Nampula, and hoped that those responsible for this crime will be brought to justice.

IOM & UN sister agencies in coordination with the Ministry of Justice, Constitutional and Religious Affairs, support the celebration of the International Albinism Awareness Day in Maputo. #UnitedInMakingOurVoiceHeard #Inclusion4equality #AlbinismDay pic.twitter.com/x6oKVMQkNr

— IOM Mozambique (@IOM_Mozambique) June 13, 2022

He praised the advances Mozambique has made in protecting albinos, in its ratification of various international treaties and conventions.

He noted that Mozambique had participated in the Global Summit on Disability in February, where “it renewed its promise to take effective measures to protect and promote the rights of disabled people, including people with albinism”.