The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, meeting at its 20th Extra-Ordinary Session, held in Banjul, Islamic Republic of The Gambia, from 09 to 18 June 2016;
Recalling its mandate to promote and ensure the protection of human and peoples’ rights in Africa under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter);
Bearing in mind Article 2 of the African Charter which guarantees every individual the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms recognized in the African Charter regardless of race, ethnic group, color, sex, language, religion, political or any other opinion, national and social origin, fortune, birth or other status;
Further bearing in mind Article 18(4) of the African Charter which provides that the persons with disabilities shall also have the right to special measures of protection in keeping with their physical or moral needs, in addition to Article 23 of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa which provides for the special protection of women with disabilities;
Recalling Resolution ACHPR/Res.263 (LIV) 2013 on the prevention of attacks and discrimination against Persons with Albinism;
Further recalling the Joint Press Release by the Chairpersons of the Working Group on Death Penalty, Extra-Judicial, Summary and Arbitrary Killings in Africa and the Working Group on the Rights of Older Persons and Persons with Disabilities in Africa regarding the attacks and killings of Persons with Albinism in East Africa, issued on 11 March 2015;
Cognizant of the commemoration of the International Albinism Awareness Day on 13 June 2016;
Concerned at the widespread violence, discrimination, stigma and social exclusion directed at persons with albinism;
Deeply concerned about continuing systematic attacks and killings against persons with albinism in the Republic of Malawi;
Taking note of the commitment of the Government of the Republic of Malawi to fight this serious violation of the rights to life, dignity and protection from inhuman treatment;
The Commission:
(i) Strongly condemns the continuing systematic attacks and killings of persons with albinism;
(ii) Calls on the Republic of Malawi to urgently take all necessary measures to ensure the effective protection of persons with albinism and members of their families;
(iii) Calls on the Republic of Malawi to ensure accountability by duly investigating and bringing perpetrators of these gross human rights violations to justice, and by ensuring that victims and members of their families have access to appropriate remedies;
(iv) Calls upon the Republic of Malawi to take effective measures to eliminate all forms of violence and discrimination against persons with albinism, and to increase education and public awareness-raising activities.
Done in Banjul, Islamic Republic of The Gambia, on 18 June 2016
