The Association of Persons with Albinism in Malawi (APAM) has demanded the Malawi Government to immediately start providing full protection to all persons with albinism.
This is according to a press statement released on March 1st signed by APAM president Overstone Kondowe, chairperson for Federation of Organizations in Malawi Annita Hanjahanja and HRDC chairperson Timothy Mtambo.
In the statement, the organizations said people with albinism in the country apart from living fearfully, are also being segregated from many community activities and are barred from accessing some other services which include: health, education and Justice.
“In every day life, people with albinism are frequently treated as being lesser than human beings. They face stigmatization and other significant barriers to the enjoyment of their economic, cultural, social, civil and political rights.
“The government of Malawi has an obligation through the constitution, of Malawi, African Charter on Human and people’s rights, the convention on the rights of persons with Disability and other pertinent human rights treaties to ensure safety and security for all people including vulnerable groups,” reads part of the statement.
APAM, FEDOMA and HRDC said through the press statement that they are happy that government has shown its commitment to fight for the rights of persons with albinism in the country.
However, they said they are saddened that the commitment shown by the government has not been demonstrated by taking any necessary and effective measure to combat the barbaric act which they said have made them live in fear.
They continued to say that they have now put their hope to the President Peter Mutharika that the Malawi leader being the custodian of the Malawi constitution has the responsibility to make them happy since he is at helm of all government operations and affairs.
Very strange: you want the same Government you are refusing to dialogue with to protect you. Is your head moving?
This is strange: you want the same Government you don’t want to engage with to protect you. Ntambo and Trapence are misleading the albinos.