Human Rights & Public Liberties

Human Rights & Public Liberties

Newsletter
Published on: 13 Jan, 2021

Malawi High Court to rule on the killing of a man with albinism

Published on: 27 June, 2022
Body parts belonging to people with albinism have become sought after in parts of southern and eastern Africa/ Amnesty International/Aljazeera archive.

Body parts belonging to people with albinism have become sought after in parts of southern and eastern Africa/ Amnesty International/Aljazeera archive.

People with albinism in Malawi live in constant fear and danger.

They are targeted for ritual killings.

There is an inherited belief that their body parts can increase wealth.

According to Amnesty, more than 160 attacks against the albinos took place in Malawi since November 2014.

Today, Monday, a court will sentence five defendants over the murder of MacDonald Masambuka, a 22-year-old man killed in 2018.

The defendants include a Catholic priest, the victim’s brother, a policeman and a hospital employee.

It is the first case involving high-profile community members involved in attacks on persons with albinism.

Prosecutors have asked the High Court to give life sentences.

In 2019, three people were sentenced to death.

According to the UN, people with albinism often face discrimination and stigma, with physical attacks most prevalent on the African continent.

Aljazeera/agencies.