General situation of children with albinism in Tanzania Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited difference present at birth. Albinism results in a lack of pigmentation in the skin, hair and eyes, causing vulnerability to sun exposure and bright light. Albinism occurs rarely in most parts of the world. For instance, in the 2013 situation analysis of children with albinism in Tanzania, UNICEF states that the number of people with albinism is estimated to be 1 in 17,000 in the US or Europe; while the prevalence is much more in East Africa as it occurs in 1 in 2,000 people.2 Persons with albinism in general, and children with albinism in particular, have specific needs. Referring to an advocacy report of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies dealing with the situation of persons with albinism, the Human Rights Council in its preliminary study on the situation of human rights of persons living with albinism categorized these needs into 3 key areas which are: security; displacement and discrimination. The Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in a 2013 report captures that since 2000 until 2013 more than 72 people with albinism in Tanzania were violently killed and more than 30 others were attacked and their body parts mutilated (OHCHR, 2013). These killings and attacks were reportedly triggered by the market value attached to the body parts of people with albinism, which results from the superstitious belief that some people advocate, namely that the body parts of people with albinism possess magical powers. The killings and the attacks particularly target children. As a result, many children, particularly in the Lake Zone region of Tanzania, live in fear and insecurity. The Committee noted that children with albinism have been kidnapped and have had their limbs, hair, and other body parts hacked off with machetes/sharp objects, only to be sold. 2 Situation assessment of the centres of displaced persons with albinism in the Lake zone and Tanga regions findings from Under the Same Sun survey, 2011, Pp. 31 available at http://www.underthesamesun. com/sites/default/files/Centres%20Holding%20Displaced%20PWA%20-%20A%20Report%20from%20Tanzania%20-%202012.pdf 5