Credit:  un.org / Photo: © David Darg/  UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed (Center) (with Ms. Ikponwosa Ero and Mr. Lazarus Chigwandali (musician and activist from Malawi) at UN world headquarters June 13, 2019.

By Gary Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

UNITED NATIONS    –   For many Albino persons, the stigma of the colour of their skin began on the very day they were born.  Some have recalled how their parents were shocked out  of their minds when they were  born, as many parents, particularly in Africa,  had never seen a person with Albinism before.  The stigma continued as many of their parents’ friends and neighbors shunned them and their family, believing their Albino child is cursed.   “STILL STANDING STRONG”    is the theme for this year’s United Nations  International Albinism Awareness Day.  It’s a call to recognize, celebrate & stand in solidarity with persons with albinism around the world & to support their cause.   Each 13 June, the world is reminded that people with albinism deserve to have their rights to life and security protected, according to the UN.   Persons with albinism routinely face ongoing hurdles and challenges to their human rights, ranging from stigma and discrimination, to barriers in health and education. Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited condition present at birth. It is found in both sexes, regardless of ethnicity, in all countries of the world.   According  to the UN,  a lack of pigmentation, or melanin, in the hair, skin and eyes, causes vulnerability to the sun and bright lights, usually leaving people with albinism visually impaired and prone to developing skin cancer.

 Ikponwosa Ero    of   Nigeria was designated in June 2015 as the first UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism by the UN Human Rights Council.  

Credit: .ohchr.org /  Ikponwosa Ero,  UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism.

Happy International albinism awareness day everyone !!!!! #StillStandingStrong pic.twitter.com/PVgXFJvmNp

— IkponwosaEro (@UnAlbinism) June 13, 2019

Credit: / UN Photo / UNICEF Mozambique/Sergio Fernandez / Children with albinism are often discriminated against and abused.

Ikponwosa Ero,  UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism

-STILL STANDING STRONG !! 

Ikponwosa Ero, a Nigerian with albinism and internationally recognized human rights advocate, has called for a two-track strategy that would address the urgent need to end attacks on light-skinned albinos and the trafficking of body parts from those with the genetically inherited condition.  More than 600 attacks and other violations have been reported in 27 countries in recent years, although some go unreported. Albinos are targeted for the purpose of witchcraft rituals, or in medicine rituals known as muti or juju, that rely on the belief that albino body parts bring wealth, healing and good luck, reports Africatimes.com.  

“The issue is further complicated by the lack of effective oversight over the practice of traditional healers, the secrecy that often surrounds witchcraft rituals and the absence of clear national policies on the issue,”  Ero said , presenting her report to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in 2017.

"Still Standing Strong" is the theme for this year's International Albinism Awareness Day. It's a call to recognize, celebrate & stand in solidarity with persons with albinism around the world & to support their cause. Ikponwosa Ero, @UnAlbinism desires to build their capacity pic.twitter.com/k3laPRXrty

— OSIEA (@OpenSocietyEA) May 26, 2019