by Natalie Spagnuolo & Hadayt Nazami* On April 5th, 2016, a lively community discussion on Canada’s immigration system took place in Toronto, Ontario. Participants from immigrant and disability communities were outraged with Canada’s practice of denying residency to persons with disabilities and members of their families. Many of those present were already acquainted with Canada’s […]
Albinism in Burundi: new report submitted to UN Committee Against Torture
A new report has just been published by the international organisation Under the Same Sun addressing the torture of people with albinism in Burundi. The report has been submitted to the UN Committee Against Torture, Session 58. People with albinism in Burundi regularly face torture. They are ritually hunted, attacked and murdered. Limbs and digits […]
Hunting for muti: the chase for people with albinism
The persecution of people with albinism continues and is especially rife in Tanzania and other parts of East Africa. Despite legal measures, protection and convictions remain weak. The persecution of people with albinism (PWA) continues and is especially rife in Tanzania, Malawi and other parts of East Africa. Despite increasing international visibility and recent laws […]
People with albinism in Malawi risk systemic extinction, UN expert claims
GENEVA: 29 April 2016: Ikponwosa Ero, The United Nations Independent Expert on the rights of persons with albinism, expressed serious concerns about the attacks, mutilation and killing of persons with albinism in Malawi. Superstitious beliefs about the magical properties of the body parts of PWA, have given rise to a critical crisis where PWA are hunted […]
Challenging connections: Zika and disability in Brazil
The Aedes Egypit mosquito is currently Brazil’s number one enemy and the government has launched a concerted country wide campaign. Besides the severe dengue fever transmitted by the mosquito, last summer the vector brought a new virus, the Zika. After careful review of existing evidence, the US based Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) […]