CCJP intensify fight on albino attacks in Mangochi

Mangochi Diocese of the Catholic Church through its arm, the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), has intensified efforts aimed at protecting albinos who are facing various attacks in the country.

CCJP diocesan secretary Bruno Banda said they want to work with other stakeholders such as the Malawi Council for the Handicapped (MACOHA) and the Association of People with Albinism (APA) to ensure albinos’ rights are protected.

He disclosed in Balaka during the capacity building of its animators who, among others, will be sensitising communities about rights of minority groups. It started on Friday.

“We are very concerned about the plight of albinos who are being attacked and killed like animals. It’s sad that a lot of these incidences are happening in our diocese. We need to protect them,” said Banda.

“Albinos are human beings, hence need to be treated with all the respect they deserve,” he added.

MACOHA Assistant Rehabilitation Officer for Balaka district Dennis Ngaiyaye said it is pathetic that albinos are being targeted and being deprived of their right to live freely.

“We are very overwhelmed by these incidences and we call upon other stakeholders to help us that together we end this malpractice,” said Ngaiyaye.

Mangochi Diocese comprises Mangochi, Machinga and Balaka districts. These are also the districts where cases of albino attacks have been reported.

Recently CCJP challenged government and non-state actors to treat the issue of albino killings as an urgent crisis requiring both political and security intervention.

In response President Peter Mutharika said was deeply shocked with reports of killings and abductions of people with albinism and warned that the perpetrators will be hunted down and prosecuted accordingly.