Association of People with Albinism (Apam) has asked President Peter Mutharika to act immediately against rising attacks on people with albinism to guarantee their safety.
Apam president Young Muhamba said in an interview yesterday that authorities have failed to act decisively.
He said: “A man with albinism in Mulanje, Israel Mbewe, has been missing for over six weeks with no arrests. In Dowa, Mausamatha Zacharia’s grave was exhumed last week and his hands removed.
“I have also received reports of another exhumation in Nkhata Bay today. This shows these cases are on the rise and people’s lives are in danger. We are living in fear.”
Muhamba said Apam wants the President to clearly indicate what his administration is doing about the attacks on people with albinism.
“We know the President has a lot on his table but, lives are in danger here. We are talking of a victim who went missing in Mulanje and it is now over six weeks. The President has the power to order law enforcement agencies to bring an end to this,” he said.
Muhamba also faulted the pardon of six former police officers convicted in the killing of Buleya Lule, a key suspect in the abduction of a boy with albinism.
“This pardon sends a wrong message. It shows the government is not serious about stopping these attacks,” he said, further noting that delays in court cases are compounding the problem.
Muhamba noted that 28 cases of attacks on people with albinism have dragged on for over three years, and called for speedy prosecutions and heavier sentences.
The Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has since condemned the attacks, urging the police to investigate the cases in Mulanje and Dowa and prosecute all culprits.
In a statement issued on Saturday, MHRC chairperson Chikondi Chijozi Jere said MHRC has further reminded government of its binding constitutional and international obligation to protect the lives and dignity of persons with albinism.
“Violence against persons with albinism is an assault on our collective humanity. We reiterate our firm position: ‘enough is enough’. Persons with albinism have the right to live free from fear, to die with dignity, and to rest in peace,” reads the statement in part.
Presidential press secretary Cathy Maulidi yesterday asked for more time to respond while National Police spokesperson Lael Chimtembo’s phone went unanswered.
Attacks on people with albinism in Malawi have persisted for years, leaving some dead and others mutilated.
