The Human Rights Commission (HRC) is saddened by the killing of a 37-year-old albino woman in Lundazi District.
Charity Zulu of Kalumbu Village of Chief Magodi was last week brutally murdered by four unknown men who also left her 42 year-old husband Robinson Nyirongo unconscious.
The woman had both hands cut off and several teeth extracted while her husband was left for dead.
HRC Director Florence Kabwesha said in a statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka today that it was disturbing to hear the report of Ms Zulu’s life being terminated in horrifying circumstances where her killers cut off her limbs and other body parts.
“The Commission is gravely saddened by the killing of a 37-year-old woman living with albinism in Lundazi District, Government should prevent its citizens and stop the cruelty against innocent people with albinism,” Ms. Kabwesha said.
Ms. Kabwesha said the act seriously violates the norm of respect for the right to life, the integrity and security of a person.
She appealed to the Police to ensure that the culprits were brought to book and punished in accordance with the law.
Ms. Kabwesha said it was extremely unfortunate that grisly acts were occurring in Zambia, a Christian nation saying all well-meaning people should condemn the heinous behaviour.
She said the Commission was aware that people with albinism have been targeted and many killed in neighbouring countries and other parts of the world for and their body parts sold for rituals.
She said albinos have the inherent right to life like all other human beings and must be protected against violence of all forms such as cruelty.
“All human life is infinitely precious that it must be protected at all times and no one should be arbitrarily deprived of it. It is important that Zambia remains a country where all the citizens feel respected and safe enough to freely enjoy their rights,” she said.
She said the police and the community must work together to ensure the country does not see an upsurge of the macabre killings.
The HRC Chief appealed to Zambians not to condone violence and discrimination against people with albinism.
On June 13 this year, Zambia would join the rest of the world in observing the United Nations Human Rights Council which is expected to adopt a resolution marking the inaugural International Albinism Awareness Day.
“Let us raise awareness of the indignities and violence faced by people with albinism. This is a call to all nations by the United Nations Human Rights Council which recently adopted a resolution marking June 13, 2015 as the inaugural International Albinism Awareness Day,” Ms. Kabwesha said
Our borders are too porous. That is a usual style of people from one of our neighbours with Lundazi, we all know that country. Can immigration go to Chipata, Chama and Lundazi to flush out these illegal immigrants.
We have allowed foreigners to come and establish commercialised occult and witchcraft businesses in zambia. Check adverts in the post’s Sangwapo and posters all over towns and street poles. Get rich quick, lost lovers in 48 hrs penis enlargements etc. We know albinos are an endangered people in East Africa and yet we & our authorities have allowed this morally depraved business to take root in zambia. Yabaa!
We need to act quickly and root out all these foreigners practicing strange “medicine” in our land. If indeed we are a christian nation why are we allowing such practices that have now even started to lead to killings of our own people! Some one must act and act now!! The police is supposed to protect people and collect intelligence on potential crimes rather than harassing opposition politicians! How long have we known that Albinos get killed in some of our neighboring countries for charms and up to now we have not evolved a proactive and preemptive strategy to thwart any possibility of the spread of this heinous practice to our country to the detriment of our albino brothers and sisters!!? If we had a proactive police this murder would not have even occurred!!
MY ORGORNAZANATION HAS CALLED FOR ARREST OF THESE PEOPLE TO FACE THE LAW WITHOUT GIVIMG TH LAWERS, ALL RACES LETS UNITE GOD BE WITH US.
THE POLICE AND COMMUNITY TO WORK HAND.IN.HAND TO CURB THE BAD HABIT OF KILLING PEOPLE LIVING WITH ALBINISM MAY THE SOUL OF CHARITY REST IN PEACE.