NAN-HG-14
Albinism
Talatu Maiwada
Abuja, June 13, 2017 (NAN) The European Union (EU) to Nigeria and ECOWAS on Tuesday said it was committed to protecting the rights of persons with Albinism and supporting initiatives that concerns them.
Ms Modupe Omopintemi, Programme Manager Human rights and Civil Society in EU/ECOWAS, made the declaration at the 2017 International Albinism Awareness Day, in Abuja with theme `Advancing with Renewed Hope’.
“Globally the EU works to ensure adherence to the basic principles of human rights especially their universality, non-discrimination, inalienability regardless of the status of those demanding their enjoyment.
“ Therefore the EU will continue to be committed to its obligation as a defender of the rights of all by providing support to initiatives that address the concerns of persons with albinism,’’ she said.
Omopintemi stated that persons with albinism face multiple forms of stigma and discrimination worldwide and were often killed.
She said albinism as a condition was extremely misunderstood socially and medically adding that persons with albinism were often the object of erroneous beliefs and myths influenced by superstition.
This she said, fostered their maginalisation and social exclusion which further led to the adoption of International Albinism Awareness Day by United Nation General Assembly on Dec. 18, 2014.
Omopintemi said the resolution on International Albinism Awareness Day, took effect from June 13, 2015 with support from all the 28 member states of the EU.
She said the passage of the albinism bill was critical to the protection of their rights as well as its implementation and monitoring.
She further called on National Human Right Commission mandated by the government for the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria and other like-minded actors to ensure rights of persons with albinism were protected. (NAN)
TIM/EAL
Edited by Ekemini Ladejobi