A/HRC/24/57 45. The documentation of these cases is difficult as, like in other births considered as “abnormal”, the death of a child considered a curse is perceived as a beneficial act for the family and the community. Thus, the killing is often done in secret and the birth is often unreported.35 In some cases, a midwife assists in killing the child, announcing that the child is stillborn and burying the child immediately, without the parents seeing it.36 46. As mentioned earlier, the general absence of adequate registration of births and deaths of persons with albinism hinders the reporting and investigation of cases of infanticide. A few such cases have been reported to OHCHR by different sources. 47. Article 6 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child consecrates as an inherent right of the child the right to life, survival and development and article 19, paragraph 1, requests States parties to take all appropriate measures to protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence. States parties are obliged to protect all children from infanticide and abandonment, and should take steps towards the abolition of practices which put the life of children under threat, including through the adoption of appropriate criminal legislation.37 D. Measures taken by States concerned 48. The State’s obligations to take the necessary measures to prevent attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism are particularly critical due to the vulnerable situation of this group. These measures include the appropriate criminalization of such acts, their investigation and the prosecution of perpetrators. They also include preventive measures to protect persons with albinism and measures to ensure the access of survivors and their families to effective remedies, redress and rehabilitation, including health care, shelters and other services. 1. Legal response and impunity 49. In its resolution 23/13, the Human Rights Council expressed concern about the impunity associated with attacks against persons with albinism. 50. Very little information was available as to the legal status of the cases of ritual attacks recounted to OHCHR. While some investigation and prosecution seems to take place, sentencing appears to be extremely rare: of the 72 murders of people with albinism documented in the United Republic of Tanzania since 2000, only five cases are known to have resulted in successful prosecutions.38 While noting the State party’s commitment to prevent, investigate and prosecute cases of mutilation and killing of persons with albinism, the Human Rights Committee expressed concern about the high number of reported incidents in the United Republic of Tanzania and the limited number of court cases and slow proceedings in this regard (CCPR/C/TZA/CO/4, para. 15). In relation to four reported cases in 2013 in the country, the Attorney General’s Chambers informed OHCHR that a significant number of suspects had been apprehended and charged and that a special task 35 36 37 38 10 infanticide. Cimpric, Children Accused, p. 26. UTSS submission. See also Committee on the Rights of the Child, general comment No. 13 (2011) on the right of the child to freedom from all forms of violence and Human Rights Committee, general comment No. 6, para. 5. See press release, “Pillay condemns ‘abhorrent’ attacks on people with albinism in Tanzania”, 5 March 2013. Available from www.ohchr.org/en/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=13074&LangID=E.