Cablegate: Tanzanian Albinos: Some Government Success As Murders

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RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHDR #0066/01 0290348
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 290348Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9270
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEHJB/AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA 3087
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 0060
RUEHLGB/AMEMBASSY KIGALI 1564
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 1532

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DAR ES SALAAM 000066

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E JTREADWELL, INR FEHRENREICH, DRL MDAVIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM TZ
SUBJECT: TANZANIAN ALBINOS: SOME GOVERNMENT SUCCESS AS MURDERS
DECLINE

REF: 2009 DAR ES SALAAM 29

1. (U) SUMMARY: Government efforts in 2009 to curb attacks against
Tanzanians with albinism met with some success, as the number of
murders dropped to 7, from 27 in 2008. From leadership by the
President and the Prime Minister to police and judicial work
resulting in several convictions of killers, the issue has remained
in the public eye. However, the threat of violence against persons
with albinism persists, particularly in the rural areas of the Lake
Zone. The ongoing threat leads some persons with albinism continue
to isolate themselves as a means of protection. NGOs active in
support for the community have concerns that the level of violence
against persons with albinism will increase in 2010 as politicians
seek the assistance of witchdoctors to ensure success at the polls.
END SUMMARY.

Government Response to the Violence
-----------------------------------
2. (U) During 2009, the GOT took a number of steps to combat
violence against persons with albinism; both the President and Prime
Minister played important leadership roles. In January 2009,
President Kikwete told a rally organized by the Tanzania Albino
Society that his administration would not tolerate attacks against
persons with albinism and would take measures to protect them. For
his part, Prime Minister Pinda revoked the licenses of witchdoctors
and traditional healers suspected of using the body parts of persons
with albinism. The announcement received the support of some
traditional healers in Manyara region, who admitted publicly that
their colleagues were encouraging the ritual killings. (Note:
Pinda's adoption of a child with albinism received wide media
coverage and was a striking example of fighting stigma. End Note.)

3. (SBU) In March 2009, the government asked residents in regions
across the country to name the perpetrators of violence against
persons with albinism (and other crimes) in secret "polls." This
effort appears to have provided useful information for law
enforcement. By September police had in custody approximately 90
people accused of crimes against persons with albinism.
Nonetheless, the Tanzanian Albino Society (TAS) criticized the
effort, both for lack of transparency (the GOT declined TAS' offer
to serve on the polls' oversight body and would not identify members
of that body) and for failure of the police to arrest many of the
accused.

4. (U) The first trials for alleged albino killers began in June
2009. The GOT came under heavy criticism from local and
international NGOs when the trials were suspended for lack of funds.
After the trials resumed in September 2009, a verdict in a case
against three suspects was delivered quickly (particularly by
Tanzanian standards - accused persons sometimes wait up to five
years for a trial). To date, seven persons have been sentenced to
death by hanging for attacks on two individuals. In addition, there
are five cases currently in the hands of prosecutors in the
Shinyanga and Mwanza regions. The seven cases so far taken on by
prosecutors are still far fewer than the estimated fifty confirmed
murders of persons with albinism since 2007. (Note: NGOs believe
some attacks go unreported due to family member involvement and
thus, the number of actual deaths may be higher. End note.)
Although killings have decreased, perhaps in response to the
publicity surrounding the secret polls and prosecutions, they have
not ended. The most recent murder, of a ten year old boy, occurred
in October 2009 in Mwanza region. His killers have yet to be
arrested.

Inadequate Protection
---------------------
5. (U) For the most part, the GOT has looked to families and
communities to protect persons with albinism. However, NGOs report
that the burden of protection, which involves providing secure
housing as well as food and material support, has overwhelmed
relatives and neighbors in many communities. Three schools have
been designated as safe havens for children with albinism. These
too have become overwhelmed, in part because adults have sought
refuge with their children. Under the Same Sun, a Canadian NGO with
a branch in Tanzania, expressed concern about the impact of
isolating children with albinism, suggesting that it may further
stigmatize them.

Efforts to Raise Awareness
--------------------------
6. (U) The GOT and NGOs are involved in efforts to raise awareness
about albinism as well as to educate people about the misguided
belief in the magical powers of albino parts. The Commission on
Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRAGG) launched in October 2009

DAR ES SAL 00000066 002 OF 002

an "omnibus" initiative to stop the killings, which included public
inquiries, investigations, and educational outreach about human
rights violations associated with attacks on persons with albinism.
Under the Same Sun, TAS, and the International Federation of the Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies are all working to raise awareness.
Additional support measures include provision of sunscreen, braille
machines, and household supplies.

Concerns Heightened for 2010
----------------------------
7. (U) Under the Same Sun representatives are worried that the
October 2010 national elections may increase the threat to persons
with albinism. They suspect that politicians may seek the
assistance of witchdoctors during campaigns, thus fueling attacks
for the body parts trade.

U.S. Actions
------------
8. (U) In January 2009, the Embassy called attention to violence
against people with albinism by selecting the albino community to
receive our annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major for Justice
award (reftel). With USG funding, Public and International Law and
Policy Group (PILPG), a U.S. based NGO, is assisting the GOT to
improve its human rights framework, particularly for marginalized
groups. One component of PILPG's work will focus specifically on
the albino community.

LENHARDT

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