MALAWI GOVT PROVIDES24\7 ON ALBINO

Malawi Government provides 24/7 surveillance on albino People living with albinism will now be protected by Malawi Government after introducing 24/7 surveillance on them according to Mutharika. State President Professor Peter Mutharika has warned that his administration will deal accordingly with those associated with the killings and abductions of albinos which he noted has brought fear and insecurity among people living with albinism. Speaking when he meet with the Executive body of the Association of People with Albinism in Malawi (APAM) Prof Mutharika assured that he won’t tolerate this malpractice which has created fear and panic among persons with albinism their relations and friends. Professor Mutharika explained that the Malawi Government has intensified surveillance and investigations against this criminal behaviour which is a threat to the most fundamental human rights as stipulated by the Constitution. “This is evil and a threat to the most fundamental human rights in our Constitution. And we will deal accordingly with those that are associated with these barbaric acts” Cautioned Mutharika. Thursday’s meeting with the Executive body of APAM follow reports of continued killings, abduction, assaults and trespassing of graveyards of people with albinism. To date 66 cases have been reported with the arrest of 69 suspects who are being prosecuted and necessitated this interface in a bid to find lasting solutions aimed at bringing to an end the acts which the State President described as evil and barbaric. He reiterated his government’s stance in the fight against those perpetrating attacks on albinos which he said have spread all over the country and urged people to report all suspected cases to the police. Besides the extra gear on part of the police, a Taskforce comprising officials from the Ministries of Home Affairs, Justice, Gender OPC and intelligence personnel has been instituted to report to him any progress made. The State President observed that although 12 successful convictions have been made this should not give room for complacency as the killings and adductions posed a threat to people’s human rights. APAM President Boniface Massa bemoaned the attacks and killings of its members which he observed is making them live in perpetual fear. Massa emphasized that looking at the patterns the trend has taken the albino population in the country faced a threat of being wiped out.

He nonetheless pointed out that he is happy with the formation of the taskforce which he hoped will bring better solutions and bring an end to the malpractice. Among others Massa cited the country’s education system and stigma and discrimination as some of the challenges ranking high among albinos in the country which needed urgent address. “The other biggest challenge is stigma and discrimination and name calling”. “People are calling us money; millions and this is fueling the attacks. We call upon your government your Excellency to seriously look upon this issue of name calling to be a punishable element in our country”. Appealed Massa. He noted that this has adversely affected them and excluded their participation in the country’s development. So far Malawi has reported 14 cases of kidnappings, 6 of killings, 28 of grave tampering, 3 of assault, 12 of people found with human bones and 1 of conduct likely to cause breach of peace.