Put an End to Albino Killings Now, Please!
The killing of people with albinism, ostensibly for their body
parts, is a crime so heinous that we must do all we can to bring it to
an end. It is disturbing that there is an air of desperation around this
subject, with more lamenting than working out a plan of action to save
these precious lives.
Members of the association of people with albinism
see complacence on the part of the government. Why, they ask, does the
expertise applied in catching killers of individuals “who matter” not
come into force when superstitious thugs attack and dismember them?
The argument is that people whose level of
thinking leads them to believe albino parts provide potent charms for
quick riches and power do not have the sophistication to evade our
generally well trained police. Such small brains are certain to leave
behind trails that our police can follow and bring them to book. Yet
reports show that since 2000, there have been at least 74 albinos
killings and 58 brutal attacks in which people have lost limbs or have
been left permanently scarred. There are many unanswered questions on
how many arrests and convictions have been made. As President Kikwete
himself said in his February month-end speech, the attacks on albinos
are a disgrace. How much anger must we whip up in order to get these
killers behind bars?
In August 2010, police arrested a Kenyan at a
guest house in Mwanza with an albino compatriot he wanted to sell to a
willing Tanzanian buyer. Kenyan MP Isaac Mwaura, who has albinism, told
Radio Deutsche Welle recently that in his country, albinos are referred
to as “Bongo”, a moniker for Tanzania.
In some countries, albinos are given special
protection. This is not a matter for debate. We have no choice but to
end this barbaric scourge. All citizens, regardless of what they look
like, deserve a guarantee that they will be protected.
Editorial Can be Read Here
