Statement By The High Commissioner For Human Rights On The Murder Of A One-Year-Old Baby With Albanism In Tanzania

Following is a statement by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein on the murder of a one-year-old baby with albinism in Tanzania:

“I condemn the horrific murder and mutilation of Yohana Bahati, a one-year-old baby with albinism, in Northern Tanzania. On Sunday, Yohana was kidnapped from his home by five unidentified men armed with machetes and his mother was badly injured. His body was found on 17 February, with his arms and legs chopped off. Attacks against people with albinism, which are often motivated by the use of body parts for ritual purposes, have claimed the lives of at least 75 people in Tanzania since 2000 and seem to be on the rise, with at least three incidents over the past two months. Violence and discrimination against people with albinism must be halted. I call on the Tanzanian authorities to swiftly investigate and prosecute perpetrators of this terrible crime and to strengthen its protection measures for people with albinism, particularly in the lead up to general elections in the country.”

For use of the information media; not an official record

HC/2015/9 E