GOVERNMENT VOWS TO PROTECT PERSONS WITH ALBINISM

Government has vowed to protect persons living with albinism in the country following the wave abductions, killings and exhumations of their remains mainly in the southern region parts of the country.

Top ranking government officials have condemned the acts, stating that by virtue of being Malawian; Persons with albinism are guaranteed rights just like everyone else as enshrined in the country’s constitution. 

At a press conference held in Lilongwe, President Arthur Peter Mutharika, condemned those involved in the acts calling their actions barbaric and inhumane.

“As commander in Chief of the Malawi Defence Forces and the Malawi Police Service, my message to those perpetrating these criminal acts is that we will hunt you down and not relent until you are apprehended and justice takes its full course on you,” Mutharika said.

Minister for Gender, children, Disability and Social Welfare, Patricia Kaliati, also joined those denouncing the actions of people targeting persons with albinism. She said she is disheartened to hear of reports that a group of people in the country is living in fear.

Speaking at a press conference at Golden Peacock Hotel in Lilongwe, Kaliati said the government together with its different partners have come up with a national response plan to deal with the issue. The plan includes the provision of awareness campaigns, intensification of security, conducting research to find the root cause of the problem, promotion of fair administration of justice, the provision of psychosocial support to those individuals and families affected and a review and enactment of laws.

“It is our hope that the taking of these interventions will address cases of killings, abductions and exhumations of the remains of persons with albinism in the country,” she stated.

The minister also thanked community members who have been vigilant in the protection and capture of people who are at the helm of the acts.

Inspector General of Police, Lexten Kachama, also voiced his displeasure with the attacks during the launch of the Violence Against Children Study Report launch in Mchinji.

“Beliefs that bones of persons with albinism can create wealth, bring love and bring luck are unfounded. I urge members of the society to report any suspicious activities. Provision of security in this country is not just the responsibility of the police alone, but the responsibility of everyone,” he said.

President of the Association of Persons Living with Albinism in Malawi (APAM) Boniface Masa, said even though government has shown commitment in providing protection for persons with albinism. There was still room for improvement.

“Some quarters of our group think that not much has been done, however, I am grateful for what has so far happened. What we would like to ask for is for speedy and fair trials. We are saying this because, if these people are given lenient terms, then what happens when they get out of prison. Yes we are living in fear. We would like to feel safe and free just like everyone else,” he said.

Malawi has about 75, 000 persons with albinism (a condition where people are born with little or no pigment in skin and hair) living across the country according to SADC estimations. The first reported case of targeted killings and abduction of a person with albinism in the country was in 2009 and since then about 15 cases have been reported.

 

So far, 8 people have been arrested in connection to the abduction, killing and exhumation of remains of persons with albinism, which have taken place in Mangochi, Zomba, Balaka, Ntcheu, Mulanje, Blantyre and Machinga which has reported the highest number of incidences.