A/HRC/28/75 The severity of the violations of the human rights of persons with albinism and the particular vulnerability of that segment of the population requires States not only to take a more active role to protect them, but also to take effective measures to eradicate poverty and improve enjoyment by persons with albinism of all their rights. 61. There is increased engagement of international and regional mechanisms with the issue of persons with albinism. Efforts however continue to be fragmented and only partially address the complexity of the human rights challenges that persons with albinism face. A more sustainable response, to bridge protection gaps and to ensure accountability for human rights violations committed against persons with albinism, is required. A. States 62. States are the prime guardians of the human rights of all persons within their jurisdictions. States should have protection measures against practices such as attacks against persons with albinism and should comply with their international obligations concerning human rights, which are enshrined in both local laws and international human rights legal instruments. With regard to the latter, special mention should be made of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (see in particular articles 19 to 23), the Convention against Torture, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The existing body of international human rights law in terms of general human rights, standards on non-discrimination, equality and human dignity require effective implementation so as to protect and preserve the rights to life and to security of persons with albinism, as well as their right not to be subjected to discrimination, torture and ill-treatment.45 63. Clear laws criminalizing and punishing acts of violence against persons with albinism should be enacted. States need to clarify ambiguities where they exist in laws relating to witchcraft and traditional health practice, including through the effective regulation of the licenses of traditional healers and witchdoctor and a clear ban on the use of harmful practices. Attacks against persons with albinism should also be considered as an aggravated form of the crime, incurring a more severe punishment so that additional deterrence may be achieved.46 64. It should be stressed that simply promulgating laws is not enough to prevent violence. They should be implemented. Current laws against assault and murder tend to provide persons with albinism with minimum protection of their rights to life and security of person. Without effective implementation of those laws, States may become complicit in such attacks by enabling a reign of impunity and perpetuating fear of attack in the lives of persons with albinism. Hence, laws should be accompanied by concrete measures that would facilitate their implementation, such as advocacy and the training of law enforcement personnel and judicial authorities. 65. In order to respond to violence and discrimination against persons with albinism and address their root causes, a multipronged and holistic approach is necessary, involving protection and accountability measures in addition to broad public education campaigns. 47 45 46 47 16 Outcome report of the Expert Meeting on Persons with Albinism; Violence, Discrimination and Way Forward, 24 September 2014, para. 54. Ibid., para. 70. Outcome report of the Expert Meeting on Persons with Albinism; Violence, Discrimination and Way Forward, 24 September 2014 (see footnote 15), para. 52.