attend classes within the Center where they are grouped according to age and
ability. However, the health challenges including visual impairment and skin cancer
are deterrent to some children from pursuing their education. The delegation
notes that the Centre has a shortage of teaching/learning materials and other
related facilities. Moreover, some of the children of school going age are not
attending classes while others have completed primary school and are idling in
the camps, unable to attend further education. The Committee also notes that in
some countries people with albinism study at mainstream institutions, where they
should be provided with large print and assistive devices. This should be adapted
in Tanzania and the Government should strengthen its work on creating the right
understanding the disability aspects of albinism in order to better accommodate
students with albinism.
On adequate food, nutrition, accommodation, water and
sanitation (article 14):
The delegation notes that life in the Buhangija Center continues to be hard.
There are not enough beds, 405 children are living in a compound which was
supposed to accommodate only 50 children; there is not enough budget for food,
and the children usually eat common carbohydrate foods with very low nutritional
content. There are only 12 care workers (8 are supported by Under the Same Sun
and the remaining 4 by the Government) who actually do all the work including
cooking and cleaning for the 405 children, which is insufficient. Generally, the
Committee takes the view that the Centers do not meet the minimum standard to
be habitable for the children.
Prosecution of perpetrators:
Despite the frequent and grave violations against children with albinism,
great concern has been expressed by the delegation that the attacks and killings of
children with albinism end with impunity. The Committee was told that there have
been only 5 known convictions out of 139 attacks, including murders, mutilations
and kidnappings.
The delegation learns that there are challenges around the prosecution
of cases concerning children with albinism, which include the secret nature of
witchcraft such that witnesses refuse to give evidence in court out of fear of
reprisal from witchdoctors and consumers. Some cases involve family members as
perpetrators so the witnesses refuse to give information.
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