A/HRC/40/62
ensuring access to justice for persons with albinism in this context. 72 In most cases,
extradition processes can be protracted and cumbersome, and hence ineffective in
facilitating speedy access to justice. Hence, complementing extradition agreements with
ongoing dialogue among concerned countries has a greater impact in countering attacks
against people with albinism.
97.
National human rights institutions and civil society organizations have utilized
regional and international forums to highlight the specific challenges that persons with
albinism face. Treaty bodies have also used the examination of States parties reports to
make concrete recommendations to Government to improve on specific areas regarding the
rights of persons with albinism.
98.
The development and endorsement of the Regional Action Plan on Albinism, with
specific measures on access to justice, has led, and is leading, to the development of
national action plans on albinism in some African countries.
Capacity-building and continuous learning
99.
One-off training sessions with justice responders on the protection of the rights of
persons with albinism are rarely effective. The incorporation of the issues in continuous
refresher courses to examine what is successful and strategies for addressing challenges not
only works better for sustaining efforts and momentum, but also holds justice responders
accountable.
Priority setting: leaving no one behind
100. In submissions from the United Republic of Tanzania stakeholders indicated that
cases of attacks against persons with albinism are prioritized in terms of investigations and
subsequent legal proceedings as a means of reducing case backlog.
Bringing issues of women and girls with albinism to the fore
101. Noting the multiple and intersecting discrimination that women and girls with
albinism face, the United Republic of Tanzania has set up a gender focal point in various
districts which takes note of issues affecting women and girls with albinism. Similarly,
another respondent indicated that in Fiji, the Ministry of Women, in partnership with the
Fiji Women’s Crises Centre, has developed a domestic violence and a child hotline where
women and children with albinism can report instances of abuse.
Provision of remedies beyond prosecution and conviction
102. Promising examples of alternative reparative action include initiatives by Under the
Same Sun, which has provided medical rehabilitation and psychological assistance to
several identified victims with albinism. The victims were also provided access to
economic empowerment opportunities in recognition of the economic hardships that they
encountered as a result of being maimed. This has enabled the victims to run small-scale
businesses in a bid to sustain their livelihoods.
Access to justice for persons with albinism and their families in hard to reach areas
103. Provision of mobile courts (circuit courts) in rural/hard to reach areas is critical in
expediting justice for persons with albinism in those settings. In submissions received from
Fiji stakeholders stated that the resident magistrates from the capital, Suva, sometimes
travel to outer islands for court sessions in a bid to ease challenges to accessing justice
experienced by communities.
72
18
Kapindu, Study on Challenges.
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