A/HRC/34/59 IV. Conclusions and recommendations 91. Witchcraft practice, in particular the use of body parts of persons with albinism for muti or juju, is undeniably one of the main root causes of attacks against persons with albinism. However, owing to challenges in conceptualizing “witchcraft” using objective elements, attempts at establishing clear legal boundaries around such practices — including to deter related harmful practices — have been elusive. One key exception is witchcraft accusations, an aspect of witchcraft practice that can be, and has been, legally captured with objective elements because there is no need to define “witchcraft” itself to achieve the purpose of preventing accusations and related violence. 92. That being said, given the extent of witchcraft practices and the diversity of victims of related harmful practices, including persons with albinism, a transversal approach is timely. This could be in the form of a guiding document that takes into account the several recommendations made to date, including by the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, the Constitutional Law Reform Commission of Papua New Guinea and the preliminary conclusions of the Independent Expert. 93. Meanwhile, strategies such as action plans designed to address witchcraft and attacks against persons with albinism should encompass a variety of measures, inter alia, to reinforce the existing legal framework, enhance the protection of persons with albinism, ensure awareness-raising and strengthen research and data collection. 94. It is important to ensure that all stakeholders are closely associated with the development and implementations of any strategies, including all relevant government entities, academia and civil society, in particular, traditional healers, faith-based organizations, organizations of persons with albinism and human rights organizations. 95. Addressing deeply rooted beliefs and practices such as witchcraft necessitates efforts in public education, which ought to be sustained even when the most visible aspects of the consequences of witchcraft on persons with albinism, namely the attacks against persons with albinism, appear to be decreasing. 96. Further, in addressing the issue of attacks against persons with albinism, all initiatives are best taken using a dual or twin-track approach. Such an approach would, on the one hand, urgently deal with attacks and trafficking of body parts for muti and juju; on the other hand, measures employed should go beyond the emergency of attacks, inter alia, to address root causes of attacks including, and particularly, harmful practices linked to witchcraft. 97. Accordingly, the Independent Expert recommends that Governments: (a) Review with a human rights approach, and repeal if necessary, outdated legislation on witchcraft; (b) Develop, adopt and implement action plans or strategies addressing, from a multisectoral approach, harmful practices linked to witchcraft and their impact on all victims, including persons with albinism, in consultation with civil society; (c) Regulate the practice of traditional medicine, including through mechanisms such as a Government-led licensing and monitoring regime in both urban and rural areas, and establish adequate standards for traditional medicine; 20

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