Davis Fletcher, a 17-year-old boy with albinism in Malawi, had gone to watch a soccer match on the 24th of April when he went missing. He was soon after found dead without his hands and feet.
Two-year-old Whitney was abducted from her bed while she was sleeping in April. Baby Whitney's skull, teeth and clothes were later discovered in a neighbouring village. Her brutal murder follows that of 9-year-old Harry, snatched from his home in February and found beheaded soon after.
Thousands of people with albinism live in fear of being abducted or killed in the country, where their body parts are being sold for use in rituals. Authorities do little to protect people with albinism or prosecute perpetrators of attacks against them. The President of Malawi has expressed concern and support for efforts to improve the lives of people with albinism, but this has not been followed by action.
Speak out for Davis and thousands like him. Tell authorities to bring to justice those who carry out these horrific abductions and murders, and put measures in place to protect people with albinism.
Dear President Mutharika:
c/o Malawi’s High Commission to Canada
I am deeply troubled to learn that thousands of people with albinism in your country live in fear of being abducted or killed, and that their body parts are being sold for use in rituals.
With attacks against people with albinism increasing, families have withdrawn children from schools for fear of attacks. Some people with albinism have moved to urban areas for safety. The ability to move freely for people with albinism has been severely restricted, as many need to be accompanied by family members for their safety.
I call on your government to:
- Urgently provide effective protection for people with albinism, including by protecting their right to life and personal security, in accordance with Malawi’s international human rights obligations and commitments
- Resource the police to adequately investigate crimes related to albinism
- Bring to justice the perpetrators of albinism-related crimes
- Develop and implement an educational campaign to stop attacks against people with albinism
[Your comments here]
Sincerely,
[Your name]
