Friday, February 20, 2015

Tanzanian albino boy found mutilated

Albino boys in Tanzania

Albinism affects around one in every 1,400 Tanzanians, far higher than average

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An albino toddler missing since Sunday has been found dead in northern Tanzania with all his limbs hacked off.
Yohana Bahati, aged one, was snatched from the house of his mother, who was cut with a machete.
His body was found a few miles away. Two people have been arrested in connection with the killing.
At least 74 albino children have been killed this century in Tanzania, where some witchdoctors use albino body parts to make their charms.
Last month the Tanzanian government placed a ban on all witchdoctors in the country. The ban is part of a nationwide operation to clamp down on attacks on people living with albinism.
The UN has condemned the attack and warned that 2015 could be a "dangerous year" for albinos. It fears that the forthcoming general and presidential elections will cause some candidates to turn to influential witchdoctors for help.
Witchdoctors are prepared to pay $75,000 (£50,000) for a complete set of albino body parts according to the Red Cross.

Still missing
Another albino toddle remains missing after being kidnapped in December.
Tanzanian police have offered a reward for information leading to the recovery of Pendo Emmanuelle Nundi, aged four. Police have arrested 15 over her disappearance, including her father.
Albinism is particularly prevalent in Tanzania with one in 1,400 affected according to a 2006 BMC Public Health report. This compares with one in 20,000 in Western countries.
The higher rate is thought to be due to inbreeding.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-31518397

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