A/HRC/24/57 I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 23/13, the Human Rights Council expressed concern about attacks against persons with albinism1 and the widespread discrimination, stigma and social exclusion they suffer. The Council requested the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to submit a preliminary report at its twentyfourth session. 2. The present report provides an overview of the most serious human rights violations faced by persons with albinism, primarily focusing on the ritual killings and attacks to which they are subjected. It also highlights the multiple forms of discrimination, stigma and social exclusion faced by persons with albinism which occur across the globe. 3. The report generates some preliminary conclusions to guide further work and address attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism. It also contains a number of recommendations to Member States and the international community aimed at ensuring the protection of the rights of persons with albinism. 4. OHCHR welcomes the adoption of resolution 23/13 by the Council, which constitutes the first global decision on this issue. II. Methodology 5. On 17 June 2013, for the purpose of preparing the present preliminary report, OHCHR addressed a note verbale to all Permanent Missions to the United Nations Office at Geneva and to all United Nations agencies, funds and programmes to solicit: (a) detailed data disaggregated by sex and age of persons with albinism; (b) information on attacks against persons with albinism and measures taken to ensure they and their family members are effectively protected; and (c) information on any type of discrimination against persons with albinism and measures taken to combat it. 6. In addition, OHCHR requested input to the report from special procedures mandate holders, national human rights institutions, human rights mechanisms of the African Union, and various non-governmental organizations, including associations of persons with albinism. 7. OHCHR is grateful for the 38 replies received, which have informed the present preliminary report.2 Written submissions were received from seven States,3 four United Nations entities,4 three special procedures mandate holders,5 the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, three national human rights institutions6 and 20 civil society organizations.7 1 2 3 4 5 6 The term “persons with albinism” refers to person before it mentions the condition and is preferred to the term “albino”, which is often used in a derogatory way. The original replies are available for consultation in the files of the Secretariat. Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Iraq, Mauritius, Mexico and Thailand. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the International Seabed Authority. The Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children; the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions; and the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea. The National Human Rights Commission of Mexico, the Ombudsman of Panama and the National 3