MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the situation of albinos in Africa, notably in Malawi
5.7.2016 - (2016/2807(RSP))
pursuant to Rule 135 of the Rules of Procedure
Maria Heubuch, Heidi Hautala, Jordi Sebastià, Judith Sargentini, Bart Staes, Michèle Rivasi, Barbara Lochbihler, Ernest Urtasun, Bodil Valero, Davor Škrlec, Igor Šoltes, Bronis Ropė on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B8-0897/2016
B8‑0898/2016
European Parliament resolution on the situation of albinos in Africa, notably in Malawi
The European Parliament,
–having regard to its resolution of 4 September 2008 on the killing of albinos in Tanzania,
–having regard to the statement by the United Nations Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism, Ms. Ikponwosa Ero, upon conclusion of her official visit to Malawi,
–having regard to the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,
–having regard to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child,
–having regard to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights,
–having regard to Rule 135 of its Rules of Procedure,
A.Whereas according to the UN, Malawi has recorded at least 65 attacks on people with albinism, including murders, in over a year,
B.Whereas the attacks have been driven by the belief - advanced by some witchdoctors - that albinos' body parts have properties that confer wealth and good luck,
C.Whereas attacks against albinos have been common for years in several African countries, whereas in Tanzania for example, at least 74 albino children have been killed between 2000 and 2015,
D. Whereas albinos constitute a minority and discrimination against albinos is a serious problem throughout sub-Saharan Africa; whereas albinism affects one in 20,000 people worldwide,
E.Whereas the United Nations warned in April that Malawi's estimated 10,000 albinos face "extinction" if they continue to be murdered for their body parts,
F.Whereas the President of Malawi, Peter Mutharika, has publicly condemned the recent spate of attacks,
G.Whereas the Tanzanian government has been publicly condemning the attacks on albinos for years and has engaged in serious and tangible actions to tackle witchcraft in the country, including through numerous arrests of witch doctors,
H.Whereas the United Nations has sponsored the first ever regional forum for Action on Albinism in Africa in June 2016,
I.Whereas the EU has carried out public advocacy campaigns to generate wider awareness on the matter and supported the engagement of civil society organisations and the capacity building of local authorities in the fight against albino killings;
1. Strongly condemns the killings of albinos in Malawi and other sub-Saharan African states and the speculative trading in their body parts,
2.Welcomes the condemnation of the killings and the shame expressed by the President of Malawi, Peter Mutharika,
3.Calls on the Malawi authorities to conduct thorough and effective investigations to bring the abductions and killings to an end; considers that visible policing in rural areas coupled with an effective public education campaigns could contribute significantly to halting the problem;
4.Calls on affected African states to share best practices in preventing attacks against albinos like setting up dedicated offices and budgets on the issue, creating a telephone hotline to report crimes and threats and regulating 'witchcraft' and traditional medicine practitioners,
5.Welcomes the action taken by the EU and asks the relevant delegations to continue following the issue closely and remain engaged on the matter,
6. Calls on the Commission and Member States to support the efforts of the affected African governments, NGOs and civil society to formulate policies to address the needs and rights of albinos, based on non-discrimination and social inclusion, and equal access to employment,
7.Calls in particular on the Commission to support the UNDP's efforts to promote and protect albinos in Africa,
8. Calls for improved training of healthcare workers and for workshops to be held for teachers and parents to encourage them to ensure that albino children are protected from the sun, as many die of skin cancer before they reach 30 years of age,
9.Instructs its President to forward this Resolution to the Council, the European Commission, the VP/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the EEAS, the African Union, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the government and the Parliament of Malawi and Tanzania and the EU-ACP JPA.