Mutharika vows albino killings to end in Malawi: Sets ‘new strategy’ for crackdown
Malawi’s President Peter Mutharika has vowed to end the sudden upsurge in macabre killings of people with albinism and has since ordered more action and vigilance on the part of law enforcers.
Albino people, who lack pigment in their skin, have faced attacks for their body parts, which witchdoctors believe bring good luck and wealth.
But speaking in an audience he held on Thursday with representatives from Association of People with Albinism in Malawi (APAM), the President strongly spoke against the tendency saying it is inhuman from whichever perspective one looks at it.
“My government remains committed to protect and promote the life and rights of people with albinism and we will not tolerate this malpractice, which has brought fear and sense of insecurity among persons with albinism, their relatives and friends,” said Mutharika.
“This is evil, and a threat to the most fundamental human rights in our constitution. And we will deal accordingly with those that are associated with this barbaric act,” said President Mutharika.
He added: “We have intensified surveillance and investigations, and also intensified our working relationship with the APAM; and the fruits are visible.”
The President expressed displeasure at rising cases of violence against albinism despite several public pronouncements by himself and other prominent persons and institutions.
The fight against the vice is also being undertaken in coordination with neighbouring countries and United Nations among others.
“Let me also inform you that I allowed the UN Special Envoy on Albinism to assist us with the best practices on how to deal with the atrocities using the countries she deals with. As you are aware, atrocities committed against persons with albinism are violations of human rights which the UN addresses.”
Mutharika also stated that he has set up a technical Committee which will monitor the implementation of the initiatives that Government has put in place to curb the malpractices.
Government has also included traditional healers in the fight because all this conduct comes as a result of ritual beliefs bring perpetrated by witchdoctors.
He said the government would continue its attempts to end the attacks as albinos should not live in fear.
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Thumbs up Mr President, you have done your part: public political condemnation. It is now for each of the rest of us to identify and play our roles in this cause. I see that while some readers’ comments are of a very poor quality, most comments are a real contribution to the discourse at hand. I would like us to be aware that the killings and abductions are just a culmination of a long standing culture of structural violence against people with albinism. They have faced all sorts of discrimination in our homes, schools and villages. All sorts of myths… Read more »
If police is failing to curve albino massacres why not deploy mdf
The simple truth is simple, many politicians, albeit including APM are involved in albino killings. Like rightly pointed out by many, if indeed the politicians were not involved, 1) there is no way the killers would have been given a mere 24 years prison time. The minimal punishment for those human animals was life in prison; 2) the president would have weighed in on the punishment that should be meted thus, capital punishment; 3) a deliberate effort to count and a program to protect those especially vulnerable like from impoverished families and living in rural areas by way of taking… Read more »
We don’t need a technical committee, we need a police force that knows how how to gather valuable intelligence. It is the duty of the Law enforcement and not more useless commitees
Please Nyasatimes, activate the like and dislike options. I have nothing more to comment than what Analyst has categorically said already. I concur with Analyst 100%.
Before the president come up with manganizo awa ifeyo amalwi as awhole tupangapo chani? to deal with mchitidwe wa usiluwu? these people can stop if were commited..
Secondly our president is very weak this is true whether we like it or is weak.. i dont think as apresident he can fail to deal with this simple matter…
Apolice so surbotaging this gorvenment they are not doing enough…
This country to work better lufunika munthu wankhaza pang’ono zinthu ziyenda…..anthu ena samanva adzanva bwino zinthu zilongosoka
Anthu amenewa ayamba liti kumaphedwa? ndimayesa ndipomwe inu mwangoyamba ulamuliro kodi? mwapangapo chani? ingonenani kuti amene anakutumani kuti muphe akwana.
Ndani sakudziwa kuti ndima preparation a 2019? Mulungu akudziwa ndipo palibe kobisika kamene sakadzaululika pangatalike maka tsiku lina zidziwika ndithu, thats why kuli usiku ndiposo usana.
Sindidatchule dzina la munthu ndangolankhula pamtima panga.
Kodi mmesa president wathuyi ali ndi ma communication advisors?
1. Why in the picture is the front row and closer to the prezo dominated by those without albinism? Media critics would easily get my perspective.
2. Why cant the president for example travel to a home out there in the village, meet a family which has lost one of their own to this barbarism, condole them and issue warnings from there? Or why not attend one funeral and issue condemnation there?
It may not end the problem but it sure is a weightier way of condemnation and solidarity Mr President.
I like your point number 2.
I have always agreed with The Analyst on this issue about our dear friends and relatives with albinism; The Leadership (Parliament, Executive, Judiciary) isnt just doing enough, full stop. First Parliament: As has been said by many of us on this forum, esp by the Analyst (I salute you), Parliament could have pushed for much tangible action from the Government on this vile. It could push the Executive to convene an emergency Parliament sitting where a deliberate law could be imposed to hang all Albino hunters once found. Do you think if the albino hunters hear this they cant be… Read more »
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It takes wisdom to see sense in someone else’s writing;
. . . and solidarity to echo their thoughts;
. . . and a lot of courage to gesture to them.
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. . . I envy your wisdom; . . . admire your courage; . . . and appreciate your solidarity.
Am humbled. Thanks.
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STOP THIS!
If this was a RACIAL or TRIBAL issue, Africa’s ‘leaders’ WOUL NOT BE SILENT and / or COMPLETELY INEFFECTIVE ABOUT IT.
Oscar Pistorius IS NOT the only murderer who should be detained long-term.
Laws DO NOT PREVENT OR STOP CRIME. But lawyers, judges, crime-prevention agents and law-enforcers can end this scourge.
WHEN DOES OUR CONSTITUTION ALLOW US TO PROPERLY SENTENCE CRIMINALS? Only when the act criminally against certain elements in society?