The Disability Rights Unit at the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, the Disability Student Unit at the University of Venda and the Mandate of the UN Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Human Rights by Persons with Albinism cordially invites you to its 1st Live Chat with the Independent Expert on 27 October which will take place virtually via Zoom. 

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1st Live Chat with UN Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Human Rights by Persons with Albinism Anne-Muluka Miti-Drummond

Wednesday 27 October 2021
13:30 GMT / 14:30 WAT / 15:30 SAST / 16:30 EAT 
Duration of event: 2 hours
All participants are required to register on Zoom.
The event will be live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube.

Register on Zoom

Programme

Moderator:

• Ramatoulie Isatou Jallow 
  HRDA student, Centre for Human Rights; Intern, Pan-African Parliament

Welcome remarks 

• Prof Frans Viljoen
  Director, Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
• Prof Bongani Bantwini
  Executive Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Social Science and Education, University of Venda

Keynote address

• Ikponwosa Ero
  Former UN Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Rights by Persons with Albinism

Introductory remarks

• Kwame Andrews Daklo 
  HRDA student, Centre for Human Rights; Intern, IRO Univen

UN Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Rights by Persons with Albinism

• Anne-Muluka Miti-Drummond​
  UN Independent Expert on the Enjoyment of Rights by Persons with Albinism

Open forum (Q&A Session)

Concluding remarks

• Ms Dianah Msipa 
  Acting Manager, Disability Rights Unit, Centre for Human Rights
• Dr Tshifhiwa Mbuvha
  Head, Disability Student Unit (DSU), University of Venda

Evaluation and Group Photo

Background

In recent years, issues surrounding albinism became widespread following the adoption of  Human Rights Council resolution 23/13 on attack and discrimination against persons with albinism and subsequent creation of the mandate of the UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism in 2015. 

These developments were triggered by a series of attacks on persons with albinism in Africa, especially in Eastern and Southern Africa, leading to killings and the mutilation of body parts of persons with albinism. Over the past decade, over 700 persons with albinism have suffered from attacks, including murders, mutilation of body parts and other harmful practices related to witchcraft and ritual attacks. 

In August 2021, Muluka Miti-Drummond took over from IK Ero as the current and second UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism following her appointment by the Human Rights Council. 

In full awareness of her positionality as someone without albinism taking up this role, she assures the albinism community of her commitment to “ensuring inclusion, genuine consultation and participation of the voices of persons with albinism, making sure that ‘nothing will be done for persons with albinism without persons with albinism”.

Objectives

This event is hosted to create awareness about the Independent Expert’s roles, envision working relations with persons with albinism and commemorate National Albinism Awareness Month in South Africa. 

This initial live conversation aims: 

• to create awareness about the mandate of UNIE and its roles in advancing advocacy on albinism in Africa; 
• to create good working relations between the UNIE, activists and leaders of albinism related associations and civil society organisations advocating for the rights of persons with albinism in Africa; and 
• to recognise National Albinism Awareness Month in South Africa as well as encouraging other states to adopt the same. 

Contacts

For more information, please contact:

Kwame Andrews Daklo
HRDA student, Centre for Human Rights; Intern, IRO Univen
[email protected]