Evangelical Association of Malawi says lives of albinos matter: Police should hunt down killers

Thom Chiumia –Nyasa Times

The Ethics, Peace and Justice Commission (EPJC), a special Commission of the Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM), has called for an end to all brutal killings and persecutions on persons with albinism arguing that the lives of persons with albinism matter.

Rev Kawalala:The level of murder and kidnapping cases linked to people living with albinism in Malawi is escalating
Rev Kawalala:The level of murder and kidnapping cases linked to people living with albinism in Malawi is escalating

At least 18 persons with Albinism have been killed since 2015 and several others abducted during the same period.

In a statement made available to Nyasa Times co-signed by Rev. Dr. Zacc Kawalala and Rev. Evans Jeka EPJC Chairperson and National Secretary respectively, the Commission states that it has learnt with great shock the continued, brutal killings and persecutions of persons with albinism a scenario that has put their lives at risk in the process affecting their contribution to social, political and economic development of the country.

“We strongly condemn these brutal killings and persecution on persons with albinism, and reiterate that the lives of persons with albinism just like any other human beings matter as prescribed in the Holy Scriptures (the Bible) and the Constitution of Republic of Malawi.

“ We therefore call upon the government and the law enforcers to intensify their current efforts towards eradicating this vice which does not only impinge on the rights of the victims and their families but also gravely offend human dignity as prescribed by God,” reads part of the.

The faith-based grouping however commends the political will demonstrated by President Peter Mutharika through a series of public pronouncements condemning these attacks but calls for more co-ordinated and collective action to translate the rhetoric into action.

“As EPJC we strongly believe that the tone set by the Presidency against attacks on persons with albinism is a positive development in as far as leadership is concerned. This will eventually enable a more coordinated strategy amongst various stakeholders to collectively curb this vice.

“However, we urge government to take a step further in complementing their political will by allocating adequate resources to efforts aimed at ending these killings and abductions as recommended by the UN independent expert on the rights of persons with albinism”.

The religious body further  appeals to the Malawi Police Service to take an extra gear in ensuring that all those responsible for these crimes are hunted down, arrested and held accountable for these crimes.

“We also call upon the various church denominations and organizations, the civil society, media, private sector, academia and all other concerned stakeholders to join hands in supporting government through awareness raising and sensitization, advocacy, reporting to Police of suspects, and other means in order address this problem and ensure persons with albinism live in safety and free from fear”.

The statement further calls upon the church in Malawi to rise up and intercede to God so that the nation is rid of this vice.

“We urge the church to preach the message of love in all churches across the country”.

The Ethics, Peace and Justice Commission (EPJC) is a special Commission of the Evangelical Association of Malawi established by the General Assembly of 2007 to promote Biblical Ethics, peace, justice and good governance in the country.

EPJC vision is that of a transformed and prosperous Malawi influenced by a biblical worldview on issues of ethics, peace and justice.

Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM) is an umbrella mother body of 64 Christian denominations and 58 Christian organizations in Malawi with a mission to unite, mobilize and empower churches and Christian organizations for effective and efficient social and spiritual transformation of the people of Malawi.

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Ndatopa
Ndatopa
7 years ago

Amene apezeke akupha ma Albino kapena mafupa Albino wonse aziphedwabasi

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