UN rights chief blasts attack on Tanzania albinos
Child with albinism. File photo
Image by: Wikimedia Commons.
Image by: Wikimedia Commons.
The United Nations' top human rights official is condemning a series of attacks on albinos in Tanzania and urging the country to do more to prevent the "abhorrent" crimes.
Navi Pillay pointed to three incidents in late January and early February in which albinos were killed or mutilated and one in which an attack was thwarted.
Such attacks are fueled by superstitious beliefs that human albino body parts will bring wealth and success.
Pillay said in a statement Tuesday: "people with albinism have the right to start living, like anyone else, without fear of being killed or dismembered."
She called on Tanzania to step up its efforts to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice and to take "a much stronger and more pro-active approach to education."
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