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African nations urged to end stigma for people living with albinism

Xinhua, June 14, 2016 Adjust font size:

African nations have been urged to end stigmatization and discrimination that threatens the wellbeing, health and even the lives of people Living with albinism.

Alvaro Rodriguez, the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Tanzania made the call when speaking at the event to mark the International Albinism Awareness Day.

The event drew attention to this hereditary genetic condition which all too often gives rise to unjustifiable discrimination.

Rodriguez suggested the need for African nations to come up with programmes that will enable people living with albinism to play a full part in society.

The official called on all countries and stakeholders to recognize that human rights apply to all people everywhere, including people with albinism.

Rodriguez also called for greater protection for this "exceptionally vulnerable" community in Tanzania, stating that the United Nations in Tanzania will keep supporting the government to ensure that people living with albinism don't have to undergo discrimination, stigma and social exclusion.

Ambassador Roeland van de Geer, the Head of Delegation of the European Union to Tanzania and the EAC, reiterated that the European Union remains deeply concerned by discrimination and violence suffered by persons with albinism in several countries and regions, including Tanzania.

"The European Union remains determined to promote respect for and protection of all human rights for all. This includes people with albinism whose most basic right - the right to life - is at stake for beliefs that are plain wrong and the result of abysmal ignorance," he said.

In 2013, the United Nations' General Assembly adopted a resolution denouncing attacks on, and discrimination against, people with albinism. The resolution furthermore called on States to take all measures necessary to ensure their effective protection. In 2014, the UN General Assembly proclaimed June 13 as International Albinism Awareness Day. Endit