Malawi activists march to parliament over albino killings

Activists in Malawi took to the streets on Tuesday to highlight the continued killing of albinos in the country.

Holding placards and banners, the activists marched to parliament and presented a petition calling for strict penalties for perpetrators who attack or kill albinos.

Boniface Massah, President, Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi said, “Without these laws being amended and even urgency process in amendment of the law, then the attacks will not end in Malawi.”

According to an umbrella body of non-governmental human rights organisations in Malawi, the government needs to do much to protect people with albinism.

“So far, 17 people have been killed in cold blood and deliberately. And we think this should not go on,” said Edward Banda, Chairperson, Citizen Alliance.

Last month, a United Nations human rights expert warned that Malawi’s albino population face extinction as atrocities continue to be carried out in the nation.

With about 10,000 albinos in the country, the people which this genetic condition are often targeted for their body parts which are believed to bring wealth and good luck.

Furthermore, police reports indicate that at least 65 attacks, abductions and murders of albinos have been recorded since late 2014.

Killings of persons with Albinism have been reported in several African countries.