Madagascar: UN expert to assess human rights of people with albinism

GENEVA (19 September 2022) – The Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism, Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond, will conduct an official visit to Madagascar from 20 to 30 September 2022.

“My visit will allow me to obtain information on, among others, the right to health, education and employment of people with albinism. I am also particularly interested in assessing the right to life and strengthening protection in this area,” Miti-Drummond said.

“I look forward to engaging with the authorities and other stakeholders in Madagascar as I also hope to identify good practices and provide recommendations that could address challenges where they may exist.”

The expert plans to meet with various stakeholders, including authorities, civil society organizations, and persons with albinism in Antananarivo, Fort Dauphin, Amboasary, and Ambovombe.

At the end of her mission, the Independent Expert will hold a press conference to share her preliminary observations. The press conference will take place at 11:00 am on Friday, 30 September 2022, at the Grande Salle Titan II, Maison Commune des Nations Unies-Galaxy Andraharo, Antananarivo. Access to the press conference will be strictly limited to journalists.

Miti-Drummond will submit a comprehensive report on her visit to the Human Rights Council in March 2023.

ENDS

Ms. Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond (Zambia) started her mandate as Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with Albinism on 1 August 2021. She has worked in the area of human rights for almost 20 years, most recently as a senior international human rights consultant, including on the area of human rights and albinism.

Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.

UN Human Rights country page: Madagascar