VZCZCXRO0928
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHDR #0066/01 0290348
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 290348Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9270
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEHJB/AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA 3087
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 0060
RUEHLGB/AMEMBASSY KIGALI 1564
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 1532

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DAR ES SALAAM 000066 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E JTREADWELL, INR FEHRENREICH, DRL MDAVIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM TZ
SUBJECT: TANZANIAN ALBINOS: SOME GOVERNMENT SUCCESS AS MURDERS 
DECLINE 
 
REF: 2009 DAR ES SALAAM 29 
 
¶1. (U) SUMMARY: Government efforts in 2009 to curb attacks against 
Tanzanians with albinism met with some success, as the number of 
murders dropped to 7, from 27 in 2008.  From leadership by the 
President and the Prime Minister to police and judicial work 
resulting in several convictions of killers, the issue has remained 
in the public eye.  However, the threat of violence against persons 
with albinism persists, particularly in the rural areas of the Lake 
Zone.  The ongoing threat leads some persons with albinism continue 
to isolate themselves as a means of protection.  NGOs active in 
support for the community have concerns that the level of violence 
against persons with albinism will increase in 2010 as politicians 
seek the assistance of witchdoctors to ensure success at the polls. 
END SUMMARY. 
 
Government Response to the Violence 
----------------------------------- 
¶2. (U) During 2009, the GOT took a number of steps to combat 
violence against persons with albinism; both the President and Prime 
Minister played important leadership roles.  In January 2009, 
President Kikwete told a rally organized by the Tanzania Albino 
Society that his administration would not tolerate attacks against 
persons with albinism and would take measures to protect them.  For 
his part, Prime Minister Pinda revoked the licenses of witchdoctors 
and traditional healers suspected of using the body parts of persons 
with albinism.  The announcement received the support of some 
traditional healers in Manyara region, who admitted publicly that 
their colleagues were encouraging the ritual killings. (Note: 
Pinda's adoption of a child with albinism received wide media 
coverage and was a striking example of fighting stigma. End Note.) 
 
 
¶3. (SBU) In March 2009, the government asked residents in regions 
across the country to name the perpetrators of violence against 
persons with albinism (and other crimes) in secret "polls."  This 
effort appears to have provided useful information for law 
enforcement.  By September police had in custody approximately 90 
people accused of crimes against persons with albinism. 
Nonetheless, the Tanzanian Albino Society (TAS) criticized the 
effort, both for lack of transparency (the GOT declined TAS' offer 
to serve on the polls' oversight body and would not identify members 
of that body) and for failure of the police to arrest many of the 
accused. 
 
¶4. (U) The first trials for alleged albino killers began in June 
¶2009.  The GOT came under heavy criticism from local and 
international NGOs when the trials were suspended for lack of funds. 
 After the trials resumed in September 2009, a verdict in a case 
against three suspects was delivered quickly (particularly by 
Tanzanian standards - accused persons sometimes wait up to five 
years for a trial).  To date, seven persons have been sentenced to 
death by hanging for attacks on two individuals.  In addition, there 
are five cases currently in the hands of prosecutors in the 
Shinyanga and Mwanza regions.  The seven cases so far taken on by 
prosecutors are still far fewer than the estimated fifty confirmed 
murders of persons with albinism since 2007.  (Note: NGOs believe 
some attacks go unreported due to family member involvement and 
thus, the number of actual deaths may be higher.  End note.) 
Although killings have decreased, perhaps in response to the 
publicity surrounding the secret polls and prosecutions, they have 
not ended.  The most recent murder, of a ten year old boy, occurred 
in October 2009 in Mwanza region.  His killers have yet to be 
arrested. 
 
Inadequate Protection 
--------------------- 
¶5. (U) For the most part, the GOT has looked to families and 
communities to protect persons with albinism.  However, NGOs report 
that the burden of protection, which involves providing secure 
housing as well as food and material support, has overwhelmed 
relatives and neighbors in many communities.  Three schools have 
been designated as safe havens for children with albinism.  These 
too have become overwhelmed, in part because adults have sought 
refuge with their children.  Under the Same Sun, a Canadian NGO with 
a branch in Tanzania, expressed concern about the impact of 
isolating children with albinism, suggesting that it may further 
stigmatize them. 
 
Efforts to Raise Awareness 
-------------------------- 
¶6. (U) The GOT and NGOs are involved in efforts to raise awareness 
about albinism as well as to educate people about the misguided 
belief in the magical powers of albino parts.  The Commission on 
Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRAGG) launched in October 2009 
 
DAR ES SAL 00000066  002 OF 002 
 
 
an "omnibus" initiative to stop the killings, which included public 
inquiries, investigations, and educational outreach about human 
rights violations associated with attacks on persons with albinism. 
Under the Same Sun, TAS, and the International Federation of the Red 
Cross and Red Crescent Societies are all working to raise awareness. 
 Additional support measures include provision of sunscreen, braille 
machines, and household supplies. 
 
Concerns Heightened for 2010 
---------------------------- 
¶7. (U) Under the Same Sun representatives are worried that the 
October 2010 national elections may increase the threat to persons 
with albinism.  They suspect that politicians may seek the 
assistance of witchdoctors during campaigns, thus fueling attacks 
for the body parts trade. 
 
U.S. Actions 
------------ 
¶8. (U) In January 2009, the Embassy called attention to violence 
against people with albinism by selecting the albino community to 
receive our annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major for Justice 
award (reftel).  With USG funding, Public and International Law and 
Policy Group (PILPG), a U.S. based NGO, is assisting the GOT to 
improve its human rights framework, particularly for marginalized 
groups.  One component of PILPG's work will focus specifically on 
the albino community. 
 
LENHARDT