UN condemns ‘ritual murder’ as persons with albinism in Malawi face ‘total extinction’
The United Nations in Malawi has strongly condemned the recent inhuman act against people with albinism that took place on New Year’s Eve in Nkhatabay as Malawi’s estimated 10,000 albinos face “extinction” if they continue to be murdered for their body parts for use in witchcraft.
Yasin Phiri, a 54-year-old man with albinism, was brutally murdered on New Year’s eve in his house at Kande Trading Centre in Nkhata Bay in front of his nine-year-old son.
lbinos were targeted because of beliefs that their body parts “can increase wealth, make businesses prosper or facilitate employment.”
In a statement signed by Benoit Thiry, the Resident Coordinator in Malawi, says the UN in Malawi is concerned by the continued gruesome attacks on persons with albinism and strongly condemns the savage killing of Yasin Phiri.
The UN is also concerned that there has not been progress to trace 12-year-old Joseph Kachingwe, who went missing on 6th July 2018.
Phiri’s gruesome murder comes barely nine months after the death of MacDonald Masambuka, a 22-year-old person with albinism who was abducted and murdered in March 2018. Masambuka’s body was found weeks after his disappearance.
The UN bemoaned the continued killings, urging government to take decisive action that will put an end to the brutal murders of people with albinism, saying the government should implement the National Action Plan.
“The plan addresses the root causes of attacks on persons with albinism, including a nationwide awareness raising campaign, strengthened investigations and prosecutions, together with strengthened protection and victim assistance measures,” reads the statement in part/
“If these measures are not accelerated, we will continue registering human rights violations against persons with albinism. We urge the authorities to ensure a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the killing of Yasin Phiri, and bring the alleged perpetrators to justice.
“We further call upon the authorities to fast-track the investigation and prosecution of outstanding cases on violation of rights of persons with albinism to avoid cultivating a culture of impunity in Malawi,” says the statement.
Malawi Police Services have swiftly arrested four suspects linked to the brutal murder.
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One of the root causes is a sing’anga. These people are given instructions by these witchdoctors. Secondly we have death sentence in Malawi, why are judges not sentencing people to death. And we blame people when they carry out mob justice on killers because they know govt won’t do the needful.
I feel very very sorry for our albino brothers, sisters etc. Why shld they be watching their backs always as if they have committed any crime? They are tortured for nothing. May the authorities assist us please.?
If murderers were killed in Bible times, who are you (The UN and human right bodies) to say the contrary. God knew that a murderer losses right to life as he does not respect life himself/herself. Zitsiru inu a UN and your bed companions for indirectly encouraging this rubbish.
Za ma condemnation zi sizitithandiza. Remmember “a fool does the same things the same way and expect a different results.” You will talk, talk, talk, condemn, condemn and condemn but they will be no change. What will change things is to kill the killers. Vito nomwenu a UN mumanena kuti murderers have human rights hence should not be killed to avoid violating their rights. By saying this you indirectly encourage these murders. You don’t consider the rights of victims. And you have disciples here who are on your payroll who back you. Very stupid people. In USA, Middle East, China… Read more »
DPP government under Peter has no clue to solve Malawian problems. Inept government.
We still haven’t heard from Mr Maliseche. Our “President”
THESE ALBINOS REQUIRE EXTRA SECURITY NOW THAN BEFORE –IT SEEMS THE SITUATION IS GETTING OUT OF HAND NOW —
Looks like people in authority are sleeping the issue. Maybe they know the route causes behind the scene