In the last year, at least 28 persons with albinism in the African
country of Tanzania have been brutally murdered in order to harvest
their body parts for sale by witch doctors. These witch doctors believe
that those with albinism possess magical powers and can bring about
wealth. Victims have been as young as seven months old.
While
the story is far too gruesome to tell in detail here, there have been a
variety of media reports about the situation that have trickled to the
West, including this Washington Post story from June 15, 2008.
As
policy, NOAH does not get involved in political action. However, in
this instance, the welfare of members of the albinism community is at
stake. NOAH leadership has determined that this is too important of an
issue to stay silent.
NOAH is encouraging members and friends of
the albinism community to sign an online petition that will be
delivered to the Tanzanian government.
The petition:
- Declares support for and solidarity with persons with albinism living in Tanzania.
- Reminds Tanzanian members of the albinism community that they are not alone during this crisis.
- Calls
on the Tanzanian government to ensure that the 173 detainees presently
in custody as suspects in the murders of those with albinism be
prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
- Asks the
Tanzanian government to provide resources to the albinism community in
terms of public education and protection with the goal being to reduce
the discrimination those with albinism face in their communities.
The petition is the brainchild of Peter Ash, a NOAH member from Canada who has founded the
Under the Same Sun Foundation, a registered Canadian charity, to help in the effort.
Peter and
Positive Exposure
founder Rick Guidotti will be going to Tanzania next month to help
organize the albinism community there and deliver the petition to the
Tanzanian government.
More information is available on the Under the Same Sun Foundation’s
website. The
petition can also be signed there.
This
truly is a crisis for the albinism community. NOAH is asking you to do
your part in promoting the safety and welfare of our friends with
albinism in Tanzania.