A one year old boy from Tanzania was taken from his home. Two days later, his small body was found by police with his arms and legs cut off. The reason this little boy was kidnapped and had his limbs cut off was due to the fact that he was albino. In Tanzania, people who have albinism have a significantly higher chance of being kidnapped. Witchcraft is very prevalent in Tanzania, and albino body parts are used in rituals. The United Nations has called this acts of crime "horrific." The abductions and killings are expected to increase this year. It is election year in Tanzania and many politicians will use witchcraft in hopes of increasing their chances of winning a political office. The United Nation believes that 75 albinos have been killed since 2000, and three attacks of albinos have been reported in the last two months. Doctors who perform witchcraft will pay up to $75,000 for an albino body. Witchcraft is very common in the Tanzanian culture. Family members are frequently involved in the killings of people with albinism. Although witchcraft has been stated as illegal, local authorities are not enforcing it.
Unfortunately, the practices of witchcraft is not going to end any time soon in Tanzania. Politicians frequently use witchcraft to increase their luck when running for office. If politicians have to do this to increase their chances of winning, they should not not be running for political office. I view this as not having confidence in themselves. Politicians need to have confidence. Much more needs to be done to stop the killings of albinos. Albinos are no different than the person next to you. Witchcraft will be hard to stop, but other rituals besides the usage of albino body parts should be looked into. No person should have to have their limbs cut off for the use of witchcraft.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/21/world/africa/fears-persist-that-violence-against-albinos-in-tanzania-will-grow.html?ref=world&_r=0
Cara Howell
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