Charles Tannock, author. – Mr President, the plight of albino people in Malawi is a true tragedy. I still remember debating this same issue in relation to Tanzania almost a decade ago. The apparent killing of innocent albinos – or persons with albinism – and, tragically, mainly of children, for their body parts is still happening in many African states as well as Malawi, where there has been a recent spate and rise in the number of killings to more than 20. Other states reportedly affected include Burundi, Mozambique, Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia.

Already, this vulnerable community is at risk of the medical consequences of albinism in the tropics, including a high risk of fatal skin cancer, but they are also now being murdered – almost unbelievably – to satisfy demand for traditional medicine that is more akin to medieval sorcery.

The EU should not hesitate to campaign on the issue. I welcome the reforms of the penal code in Malawi. I also welcome the recent adoption of the regional action plan for 2017-2021 jointly by the African Union and the United Nations. This is a positive and concrete signal of commitment by African leaders to ending all discrimination against persons with albinism and to prosecuting all crimes and atrocities against this vulnerable group of people.