Witchcraft-related attacks on people with albinism increased during pandemic, UN expert reports

The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges for vulnerable communities worldwide, with particularly devastating consequences for people with albinism. According to the UN Independent Expert on Albinism, attacks and killings motivated by harmful witchcraft beliefs increased during the global health crisis.

The expert's report highlights how the pandemic created conditions that heightened risks for people with albinism in regions where harmful beliefs persist. Economic hardship, social disruption, and widespread fear created a dangerous environment where some turned to witchcraft practices that target people with albinism.

"The pandemic appears to have exacerbated existing vulnerabilities," the report states, noting that lockdown measures sometimes trapped people with albinism in unsafe environments with limited access to protection services.

Factors driving increased violence

According to the UN expert, several pandemic-related factors contributed to this disturbing trend. Economic desperation led some to seek quick financial gains through rituals involving body parts of people with albinism, which are erroneously believed to bring wealth or good fortune in some communities.

The report also points to how COVID-19 disrupted protective services in many regions. Police forces, court systems, and community protection networks were strained or temporarily suspended, creating protection gaps for already vulnerable populations.

Urgent protection needed

The findings underscore the critical need for targeted interventions to protect people with albinism, especially during times of social disruption. The UN expert calls for governments to integrate specific protections for people with albinism into emergency response protocols.

"Protection mechanisms must remain functional even during crises," the report emphasizes, recommending community-based monitoring systems and emergency reporting channels specifically designed to address attacks based on witchcraft beliefs.

This concerning trend highlights how global crises can disproportionately impact those already facing discrimination and violence. As communities worldwide continue recovering from the pandemic, ensuring the safety and dignity of people with albinism must remain a human rights priority.