UN albinism expert Ikponwosa Ero says buried bodies are being targeted. Photo Credit: BBC
A UN expert on albinism has told the BBC that buried bodies are increasingly being dug up so body parts can be taken.
People living with albinism already suffer brutal attacks resulting from beliefs that say they have special powers and their body parts can be used in “magic” potions.
More than 600 albinos have been killed in different African countries since 2007, mainly for ritualistic reasons.
Now Ikponwosa Ero says buried bodies are also being targeted.
She was speaking at a UN conference on albinism held on the outskirts of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, which brought together representatives from 15 African countries.
Cases have been reported in Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania, where people living with albinism suffer the most attacks.
Participants called for the graves to be protected with concrete material to prevent excavation.
Kenya has also been holding a Mr and Miss Albino pageant in an attempt to challenge negative stereotypes about people living with albinism.
Source: BBC
