UN condemns killing of baby boy with albinism in Tanzania

The United Nations office in Tanzania on Wednesday condemned the killing of a one-year-old baby boy with albinism who was abducted on Sunday in the east African country's lake zone region of Geita.

Police found the mutilated body of Yohana Bahati on Tuesday in Shilabela Mapinduzi sub-village, a few kilometers from his home in Ilelema village.

"These attacks are accompanied by a high degree of impunity, and while Tanzania has made efforts to combat the problem, much more must be done to put an end to these heinous crimes and to protect this vulnerable segment of the population," said Alvaro Rodriguez, UN resident coordinator for Tanzania.

"The body was found in Biharamulo forest reserve on February 17 at around 3:00 p.m. with his arms and legs hacked off," said Joseph Konyo, Geita regional police commander.

He said the mother of the baby boy with albinism was still seriously sick at Bugando referral hospital in Mwanza city where surgeons operated on her machete lacerated face and other parts of her body.

"Yohana's three-year-old sister is still under police protection," Konyo said, adding that police were still hunting for the assassins.

Rodriguez said no violence against people with albinism was justifiable.

"All violence can be prevented. Attacks against people with albinism can never be justified -- not by culture, tradition or religion," said the UN resident coordinator.

These attacks, which were often motivated by the use of body parts for ritual purposes, have claimed the lives of at least 74 people with albinism in Tanzania since 2000.

Rodriguez said since 2015 was the year of elections in Tanzania and as some analysts have suggested, it could be a dangerous year for people living with albinism.

"2015 is a year in which Tanzanians will elect new leaders and vote on a proposed new constitution. It is also a year where all the citizens of the country should feel respected and that their human rights are protected," he said.

Over the last two months, Tanzania has witnessed two abductions of young children with albinism in the lake zone regions. Endi