Children murdered for their body parts - Take action!

Children murdered for their body parts Their stories are shocking but sadly not uncommon. Whitney and Harry are the latest victims in a horrific trend sweeping Malawi – they were abducted, murdered then mutilated for their body parts, because they have albinism, and their bones and body parts are highly prized. Albinism is a rare, genetic condition that in Malawi tends to affect those living in poorer rural areas. It results in a lack of pigmentation in the hair, skin and eyes, causing vulnerability to the sun and visual impairment, amongst other health conditions. In Malawi, people with albinism are often seen as having magical and healing powers. But they are at risk of a gruesome fate: attacks against this vulnerable group are on the rise, as others seek their body parts and bones for use in witchcraft. Urgently tell Malawi's president to act to protect people with albinism » Children are particularly at risk. Parents have withdrawn their children from school as a result of the steep rise in attacks last year – and the attacks continue. At least 12 people with albinism have been killed in Malawi since December 2014; five more disappeared without a trace. 45 incidents were reported last year alone – of murders and attempted murders, abductions and attempted abductions – although the real figure could be much higher. And yet relatives are often implicated in the disappearance of children with albinism – both Whitney and Harry’s murders are allegedly linked with family members. But perpetrators of these gruesome crimes are rarely held to account for their actions. Tell Malawi’s president to step up and protect this vulnerable group » There are thousands of people in Malawi right now at serious risk of abduction and killings. Please tell the president of Malawi to protect them and bring perpetrators of albinism-related crimes to justice – before another innocent person is murdered for their body parts. Add your voice to call on President Peter Mutharika to end these attacks TAKE ACTION Margaret Taylor, Activism Manager See also: Albinos killings for black magic in Tanzania, Burundi and Swaziland "They are indigenous Sierra Leoneans who happen to be albinos..."  Orthodox Malawi (tag)