A UN expert on albinism, Ikponwosa Ero has said that buried
bodies of albinos are increasingly being dug up so body parts can be taken. Despite
the fact that people living with albinism suffer attacks from beliefs that they
possess special powers, which make their body parts important for magic, their
buried bodies are being targeted.
More than 600 albinos have been killed in different African
countries since 2007, mainly for ritualistic reasons.
She was speaking at a UN conference on albinism held on the
outskirts of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, which brought together
representatives from 15 African countries.
Cases have been reported in Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania,
where people living with albinism suffer the most attacks.
Participants called for the graves to be protected with
concrete material to prevent excavation.
Kenya has also been holding a Mr and Miss Albino pageant in
an attempt to challenge negative stereotypes about people living with albinism,
BBC reports.
0 Comments