Politics and Society
Protecting people with albinism: Malawi to hand down life sentences to perpetrators
The government of Malawi has heeded calls from people living with albinism and rights campaigners to take tough action on perpetrators of crimes against people with albinism. The country will now hand down life sentences to perpetrators, in a welcome development. We certainly hope this, amongst other measures will ensure justice is served, help protect and guarantee the safety of people living with albinism.
The government of Malawi has heeded calls from people living with albinism and rights activists to take tough action on perpetrators of crimes against people with albinism, in a welcome development.
Following incessant attacks on people living with albinism, activists in Malawi and across the world have been campaigning for the country to ensure the protection and safety of people with albinism and to take a tough stance on attacks and murders.
Other calls have included the need to tackle and demystify the harmful superstitious beliefs, which perpetuate attacks on people with albinism.
While Malawi’s President Peter Mutharika has previously cautioned people involved in the attacks on people living with albinism, and those desecrating graves, warning perpetrators that “you will rot in jail,” rights campaigners have criticised the government for its perceived lethargic approach and failing to protect victims of attacks.
“You will rot in jail”: Malawi’s President Peter Mutharika previously issued stern warning to attackers
Last month, Malawians marched to parliament in Lilongwe and delivered a petition, calling for tougher laws and stiffer penalties.
The petition, which was received by legislator Ester Jailosi Jolobala called for life imprisonment for people who murder or attack people with albinism, and the parliamentarian pledged that the government would take swift action.
With the growing insecurity, rights campaigners and citizens have continued to push for tougher laws, which protect the lives of people with albinism. In a laudable and welcome development following the recent petition, President Mutarikira has said the government will now hand down life sentences to perpetrators. Mutharika reportedly stated, “Anyone who will be found killing people with albinism should know and expect life imprisonment if apprehended”.
Perpetrator have in the past received jail terms ranging from 25-30 years and there have been calls to hand down even stiffer and lengthy prison sentences. There have been calls to institute the death penalty against those found guilty of murders, but Malawi has indicated that the death penalty will not be handed down.
We certainly hope handing down stiffer penalties amongst other measures can ensure justice and help guarantee the safety of people living with albinism.