A/HRC/37/57 I. Introduction 1. The present report is submitted pursuant to resolution 28/6 of the Human Rights Council, in which the Council established the mandate of the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism. 2. In section II of the report, the Independent Expert provides an overview of the activities undertaken since March 2017, in particular regarding attacks, related human rights violations and discrimination against persons with albinism. In section III, she focuses on the right of persons with albinism to the highest attainable standard of health, particularly with regard to visual impairment and their high susceptibility to skin cancer and related ailments. II. Activities of the Independent Expert 3. In 2017, the Independent Expert conducted country visits to the United Republic of Tanzania (A/HRC/37/57/Add.1) from 18 to 28 July 2017 and to Fiji from 27 November to 7 December 2017. The report of the mission to Fiji will be presented to the Human Rights Council in March 2019. 4. The report on the Independent Expert’s visit to the United Republic of Tanzania contains details of the measures taken by both the Government and civil society to significantly decrease the number of reported attacks against persons with albinism. However, the Independent Expert stresses that progress remains extremely fragile, as the root causes of the attacks are still widespread in the country. During her visit to Fiji, the Independent Expert focused on the measures taken to address and mainstream the right of persons with albinism to the highest standards of health, to combat discrimination and to ensure their full access to education. A. Regional Action Plan on Albinism in Africa (2017–2021) 5. The Regional Action Plan on Albinism in Africa (2017–2021) to address attacks and related human rights violations against persons with albinism has now been finalized (see A/HRC/37/57/Add.3). The Plan was developed by the Independent Expert through consultations with representatives from the United Nations, the African Union, Governments, organizations of persons with albinism and other civil society organizations. It is based on various recommendations by international bodies and mechanisms, and sets out 15 specific, concrete and time-bound measures in key areas, such as public education and awareness-raising, systematic data collection, research on the root causes of violence, the use of legal and policy frameworks to deter harmful practices related to witchcraft and trafficking in body parts, and measures to fight impunity and to ensure support for victims. 6. The Regional Action Plan was endorsed by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights during its 60th ordinary session in May 2017.1 In addition to endorsing the Plan, the Commission urged all States parties to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to take all the measures necessary for its adoption and implementation and invited the relevant organs and bodies of the African Union to give due regard to adapting and implementing the Plan. 7. In that context, the Independent Expert convened 2 a regional meeting in Pretoria in November 2017 with representatives from international organizations and civil society, including organizations of persons with albinism, to design an implementation strategy for the Plan. That strategy is currently being finalized and will be launched in 2018. 1 2 Resolution 373 (LX) 2017. With the University of Pretoria and the Open Society Foundations. 3