A/HRC/40/62 2018 with a photo exhibition titled “Albinism: shining our light to the world”. 6 In September 2018, she organized an exhibition on witchcraft and human rights worldwide. 7 9. On 20 and 21 September 2018, the Independent Expert collaborated with Trinity Western University to organize a multisectoral round table on albinism and human rights. The meeting’s objective was to build consensus on priorities for research, advocacy and policy.8 10. Within the framework of the Addis Ababa road map, the Independent Expert and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights organized a panel on albinism during the sixty-third regular session of the Commission, held in Banjul, where a progress report was presented on the Regional Action Plan on Albinism. At the same session, the Independent Expert also organized a side event and a photo exhibition, with the support of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). 11. Throughout the year, the Independent Expert engaged with scores of media, researchers and conferences, notably the 4th European Days of Albinism, held from 7 to 11 March 2018, and the first international albinism conference in Asia, held on 9 November 2018 in Tokyo. She also collaborated with the Salif Keita Global Foundation on a national symposium on the rights of persons with albinism, held in Mali on 15 November 2018. Communications 12. Summaries of allegation letters sent by the Independent Expert during the reporting period are available in the communications reports of special procedures (A/HRC/38/54 and A/HRC/39/27). The Independent Expert continued to focus on earnest, constructive dialogue with States and various stakeholders, through formal and informal channels. III. Access to justice 13. Albinism is a relatively rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited condition in which a person lacks the gene for producing melanin, resulting in little to no skin pigmentation, often perceived as “white” skin. It affects people worldwide regardless of ethnicity or gender. Persons with albinism are highly vulnerable to skin cancer and are often categorized as having a disability due to the visual impairment commonly linked to the condition. They have also been recognized by the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination as persons facing racial discrimination and stigmatization on the ground of colour (CERD/C/ZAF/CO/4-8, paras. 20–21). The physical appearance of persons with albinism has often been the object of erroneous beliefs and myths influenced by either superstition or witchcraft, or both. Myths influenced by witchcraft beliefs have fostered acute marginalization, social exclusion and physical attacks. 9 14. In addition, studies undertaken by the Independent Expert 10 show that persons with albinism generally suffer from severe forms of persecution and discrimination beyond attacks, and are often without appropriate recourse to effective remedies. Therefore, access to justice for persons with albinism worldwide requires urgent attention and effective measures. 6 7 8 9 10 4 The images included in the exhibition were by photographer Ana Yturralde. The exhibition was organized by the Independent Expert, Lancaster University, Witchcraft and Human Rights Information Network and Under the Same Sun, with the support of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone to the United Nations Office at Geneva and the Permanent Mission of Portugal to the United Nations Office at Geneva. A report on the outcome of the meeting will be issued as an annex to the present report. See http://albinism.ohchr.org/human-rights-dimension-of-albinism.html. See www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Albinism/Pages/Reports.aspx.