The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, meeting at its 54th Ordinary Session held from 22 October to 5 November 2013 in Banjul, The Gambia;
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);
Concerned at the widespread discrimination, stigma and social exclusion directed at persons with albinism;
Deeply concerned at reports of systematic attacks against persons with albinism, including against women and children;
Welcoming the steps taken and efforts made by the countries concerned, including initiating legal action against perpetrators of attacks against persons with albinism, public condemnation of attacks against persons with albinism, and public awareness-raising campaigns;
Aware of Resolution 23/13 of the Human Rights Council on attacks and discrimination against persons with Albinism;
Bearing in mind Article 2 of the African Charter which guarantees every individual the enjoyment of the rights and freedoms recognised in the Charter regardless of race, ethnic group, colour, sex, language, religion, political or any other opinion, national and social origin, fortune, birth or other status;
Mindful of the obligation of State Parties to the African Charter to promote and actualize the rights and freedoms enshrined in the African Charter;
Further bearing in mind Article 18 (4) of the African Charter which provides that the disabled shall also have the right to special measures of protection in keeping with their physical or moral needs;
Bearing in mind its role under the African Charter to ensure the protection of human and peoples’ rights;
HEREBY:
1. Urges State Parties to take all measures necessary to ensure the effective protection of persons with albinism and members of their families;
2. Calls upon State Parties to ensure accountability through the conduct of impartial, speedy and effective investigations into attacks against persons with albinism, the prosecution of those responsible, and by ensuring that victims and members of their families have access to appropriate remedies;
3. Also calls upon State Parties to take effective measures to eliminate all forms of discrimination against persons with albinism, and to increase education and public awareness-raising activities;
4. Requests State Parties to include in their reports submitted to the African Commission under Article 62 of the African Charter information on the situation of persons with albinism including good practices in protecting and promoting the rights of persons with albinism;
5. Invites State Parties to promote, in collaboration with relevant regional and international organizations, bilateral, regional and international initiatives aimed at protecting persons with albinism;
6. Invites its special mechanisms, as part of their respective mandates, to address the relevant aspects of the safety and non-discrimination of persons with albinism; and
7. Invites its Working Group on Older Persons and People with Disabilities to include guarantees of the rights of persons with albinism in the envisaged Draft Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of People with Disabilities in Africa.
Done in Banjul, The Gambia, 5 November 2013
