A/HRC/24/57 27. The information on the various cases collected by OHCHR came from multiple sources, but the level of verification varies in each case. In most cases, the information was received by national and international non-governmental organizations working for the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with albinism, gathered through field work and contacts with family members. Some cases could be confirmed through police records and court verdicts, and a few were verified by OHCHR field presences. 28. According to civil society organizations working on the issue, in countries where witchcraft is practised, the demand for human body parts tends to increase in the lead-up to and during elections, thereby generating greater risks for persons with albinism during these periods.19 29. As the body parts of persons with albinism are traded for high prices, it is reported that business people and wealthy members of society foment these ritual attacks.20 It is also reported that law enforcement authorities fail to properly investigate and prosecute, and sometimes cover up, such crimes. In one of the cases reported to OHCHR, four high- and middle-ranking police officers were arrested on suspicion of accepting bribes from witchdoctors wishing to escape prosecution.21 30. The killing of and attacks against – including mutilation of – persons with albinism violate the right to life, the right to security of person and the prohibition of torture and illtreatment22 as enshrined in various international human rights treaties.23 While attacks against persons with albinism are “manifestations of the worst forms of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and can never be justified”,24 they also could qualify as torture, both physical and mental, if the authorities fail to provide the necessary preventive and protection measures. 31. Whether any particular ritual killing or attack against persons with albinism is attributable to a State agent needs to be determined on a case-by-case basis. In addition to cases of direct liability, the State violates its obligation to ensure the right to life and the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment by failing to take appropriate measures to prevent, investigate, prosecute, punish or redress25 the harm caused by the attacks on persons with 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Submissions from Bien-être des Albinos de Côte d’Ivoire, Association nationale des Albinos de Côte d’Ivoire, Association nationale des Albinos du Sénégal and UTSS. Some cases reported in the media refer to ritual attacks during electoral periods. As an example, see “Swazi Albinos Plead for Protection Ahead of Vote”, Daily Nation, 24 May 2013. Available from www.nation.co.ke/News/world/Swazi-albinos-plead-for-protection-ahead-of-vote/-/1068/1861356//item/1/-/blp9q0z/-/index.html. Submissions from Special Representative on Violence against Children and UTSS submissions. UTSS submission. The generic term “ill-treatment” refers to any form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in accordance with article 16 of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Article 6, paragraph 1, of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and article 6, paragraph 1, of the Convention on the Rights of the Child consecrate the right to life. Article 9 of the Covenant provides for the right of every person to security of person. Article 7 of the Covenant and article 37 (a) of the Convention prohibit torture and ill-treatment. See also the Convention against Torture. Press statement, “Not ghosts”. The Committee against Torture considers that the term “redress” in article 14 of the Convention encompasses the concepts of “effective remedy” and “reparation”, entailing the full scope of measures of restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction and guarantees of non-repetition. See Committee against Torture, general comment No. 3 (2013) on implementation of article 14 by States parties, para. 2. 7