CCJP accuse Malawi govt of inaction over albino killings
A social justice and advocacy arm of the Catholic Church in Malawi, the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) says is deeply worried and unsatisfied with the deafening silence and passive approach which the government has taken on the problems faced by people with albinism in Malawi.
It its strongly worded statement issued Wednesday, the organization is calling upon government and its relevant ministries to take up various actions to stop the killings “and defend the plight of our albino brothers and sisters”.
“We appeal to the Executive from the Office of the President, the Ministry of Gender, Child Welfare, Elderly and Disabilities and the Ministry of Home Affairs to categorically condemn these killings and make a public appeal that mobilizes the nation and various stakeholders to take action on the killings of albinos” reads the statement in part.
It says say the government must give people the sense of direction and the commitment to deal with the menace once for all.
“Our appeal to the state is emanating from our understanding of the Social Teachings of the Church on the role of the state that “Because we are social beings, the state is natural to the person. Therefore, the state has a positive moral function. It is an instrument to promote human dignity, protect human rights and build the common good”.
The CCJP has also made a direct appeal to the relations of people with albinism.
“Your primary duty is to protect albinos who are becoming more vulnerable than before and must report of any strange developments to authorities in your area. You must desist from succumbing to this belief that your albino brother or sister has any source of mystical or magical powers for quick riches.”
The statement has accused the police of misplacement of human resources which it says is contributing to the security lapses that are currently taken advantage of by criminals.
“You have been told time and again that there are a lot of Traffic Police Officers than General Duties Police Officers that could help to combat crime. We appeal to you to redeploy more personnel into crime combating and prevention from the road.
“We appeal to you to work with communities to build effective alliances for community security and in this case, the protection of albinos whose lives are in danger now than before.”
About fifteen albinos has so been reported abducted and killed since January this year in various parts of the country many of them in the eastern district of Machinga where police say the incidents refuse to die.
Besides Machinga, other cases of attacks on albino have also been registered in southern districts of Mulanje, Nsanje, Chikwawa and Blantyre and Ntcheu district in central Malawi.
But Home Affairs and Internal Security minister Paul Chibingu says the government has strengthened the community policing knowing that those who are involved in such acts live among the communities.
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