A group of seven United Nations human rights experts hailed the fast-growing movement to defend the human rights of persons with albinism, and their increased engagement to fight for their rights.
However, speaking ahead of International Albinism Awareness Day on Monday, they warned that the way ahead is still long and fraught with hurdles.
“On this second International Albinism Awareness Day, we celebrate persons with albinism who have overcome tremendous challenges to de-mystify albinism using the example of their lives,” they said.
The UN experts said the success stories were far less only five years ago, according to a message received here from Geneva on Friday.
“The increase is a testament to the fruit of heightened awareness-raising activity around the world.”
But despite these successes, it remains a serious matter of concern that, since the first International Day was celebrated last year, physical attacks against persons with albinism, particularly women and children, continue and have now been reported in areas and countries where it was believed not to have been an issue, they observed.
The experts said the road ahead toward achieving this goal is long
yet possible. “The success of those with albinism who have overcome
formidable challenges and the commendable efforts made by some States
on the issue are both a good beginning and a ray of hope.”
The experts are Ikponwosa Ero, Independent Expert on the enjoyment of
human rights by persons with albinism; Rita Izsák-Ndiaye, Special
Rapporteur on minority issues; Juan E. Méndez, Special Rapporteur on
torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment; Dainius Puras, Special Rapporteur on the right of
everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of
physical and mental health; Mutuma Ruteere, Special Rapporteur on
contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and
related intolerance; Catalina Devandas Aguilar, Special Rapporteur on
the rights of persons with disabilities; and Dubravka Šimonovic,
Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and
consequences.
