An increase in the number of attacks on people
with albinism in Malawi since late 2014 by people seeking their body
parts for witchcraft prompted Amnesty International to call on Tuesday
for authorities to do more to punish those responsible.
In the past 19 months authorities in Malawi have
recorded the murders of 18 albinos and abduction of five others
although Amnesty fears the real number is likely to be higher as many
attacks in secretive rituals in rural areas are never reported.
The body parts of albinos – who lack pigment in
their skin, hair and eyes – are believed to bring wealth and good luck
and are prized in witchcraft for use in charms and magical potions.
“The unprecedented wave of brutal attacks against people with albinism
has created a climate of terror for this vulnerable group and their
families,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International’s director for
southern Africa.
Senior government officials, including President
Peter Mutharika, have publicly condemned the attacks and announced
several measures, including the appointment of a legal counsel to assist
with investigations, and a national response plan.
“However, these measures have failed to stop the violence,” Amnesty said in its report published on Tuesday.
“Some perpetrators have been arrested, charged
and convicted, but the majority of crimes remain unresolved. Charges and
penalties often have not been commensurate with the gravity of the
crimes, creating a sense of impunity,” the report said.
At least 69 crimes against people with albinism have been documented in Malawi since November 2014, according to police reports.
Amnesty did not have figures for the number of
attacks prior to November 2014, but campaigners, police authorities,
families and community leaders all said the number of attacks had risen.
It is unclear what has triggered the surge, but
mass unemployment and drought could be part of the reason, said Simeon
Mawanza, lead researcher of the Amnesty report.
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