Tanzanian Government Dragged before the African Court over Killings of people with albinism in the country
The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha has started hearing sessions on the case filed by Human Rights bodies against the United Republic of Tanzania regarding the incidences of killings of persons with albinism.
The Public Hearing in the matter of the Centre for Human Rights and others versus United Republic of Tanzania listed as Application Number 019 of 2018 takes place at the Pan-African Court premises in Arusha.
The case, submitted by the Centre for Human Rights, the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa, and the Legal and Human Rights Centre, alleges violations of the rights of persons with albinism (PWAs), including their persecution and humiliation, in particular, through attacks, killings and mutilations, in the territory of the United Republic of Tanzania.
The applicants were presented by a team of three lawyers among them Advocates Fulgence Massawe, Michael Nyarko and Chipo Rushiwaya.
State attorneys, Hangi Chang’a, Daniel Nyakiha, Vivian Method and Narindwa Sekimanga, stood on behalf of the respondent, the United Republic of Tanzania in the matter.
Three witnesses, all being persons with albinism and victims of violations have presented their testimonies before a panel of nine judges led by the Vice President of the African Court Justice Sacko Modibo from Mali.
Among them is a 21-year-old man, from Sumbawanga District of Rukwa who was abducted by two unknown people when he was only eleven-years old.
“They took me to the wilderness and chopped off my left arm,” he told the court.
Since that time, the ‘Under the Same Sun,’ organization took him up, taking the victim for safe keeping at the Village of Hope in Mwanza so that he may be able to pursue education.
The other witness is a lady aged over 50 who was attacked by some people and suffered injuries including losing one of her fingers which was cut off.
The third witness was the former head of the Tanzania Albinism Society who explained that throughout his tenure as head of TAS, none of the victims got any support or assistance from the government, despite their predicaments.
The applicants allege that the United Republic of Tanzania (the Respondent State) bears the responsibility to guarantee the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism.
They further allege that having failed to do so, the Respondent State is in breach of the right to life, right to inherent dignity, right to non-discrimination and right to an effective remedy, all protected under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Speaking outside the court, one of the lawyers Advocate Fulgence Masawe said they decided to file the case in order to intercept the ongoing incidents of attacks, violations and killings of people with albinism.
“The court has finally started to address the matter after six years, because our clients are accusing the government of Tanzania for failing to protect people with albinism or even taking care of the victims, especially because these incidents are recurring,” said Advocate Masawe.
On the respondent side, the Deputy Director of constitutional affairs, human rights and elections at the African Court who is also the state attorney in the case, said they also had four witnesses in the matter.
“There were allegations that the government had side-lined persons with albinism in terms of education and employment, but we have provided evidence that the state has been giving first priority to people with disabilities including albinos,” he said.
Regarding the criminals who assault people with albinism, the advocate said many have already been persecuted in courts of laws.
Members of the general public, human rights observers, and interested parties and media outlets have been attending the Public Hearing of the rather interesting case held at the seat of the Court in at the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Centre, along Majengo Street in Arusha City.