UN chief calls for end to discrimination against people with albinism

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday called upon all countries to "make special efforts" to end discrimination that threatens the well-being, health and even the lives of people with albinism in the world at large.

"I call on all countries and stakeholders to recognize that human rights apply to all people everywhere, including people with albinism," the secretary-general said in his message to mark the International Albinism Awareness Day.

"I urge them to make special efforts to end the discrimination that threatens the wellbeing, health and even the lives of people with albinism, and to target them with programmes that will enable them to play a full part in society," he said.

Albinism is found in every country and society in the world, regardless of people's ethnicity or gender, he noted. "Sadly, discrimination and stigmatization of people with albinism also exists to varying degrees all over the world."

"Albinism has often been subjected to mystification, triggering erroneous beliefs and myths," he said.

"The completely mistaken belief that potions or amulets made from the body parts of people with albinism have magical powers has given rise in some countries to a demand for such human remains," he said. "This has led to attacks, abductions and killings of people with albinism, and even to the theft of their bodies from graveyards."

Thanks to the long history of discrimination and stigmatization of albinism, in some places, people with this condition may live in abject poverty, without access to basic services like accommodation, healthcare and education, he said.

"The 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda pledges to leave no one behind," he said. "That includes people with albinism. The cycle of attacks, discrimination and poverty must be broken."

Meanwhile, Ban welcomed the appointment of the first Independent Expert on the human rights of people with albinism.

In 2013, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution calling for the prevention of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism.

In response to the call from civil society organizations advocating for persons with albinism to be considered a specific group with particular needs that require special attention, the council created the mandate of this Independent Expert in March 2015.

On Dec. 18, 2014, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming, with effect from 2015, June 13 as International Albinism Awareness Day. Endite