A/HRC/28/75 (a) Limited knowledge of the issue and its impact on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism; (b) Limited knowledge and capacity of associations of persons with albinism around the world to engage with human rights mechanisms; (c) Little information, scarce data and incomplete reports on cases of discrimination on specific grounds; (d) Scarcity of reliable data on cases of killings of and attacks43 against persons with albinism in countries other than Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire or Tanzania, where there is a higher prevalence of albinism, but also a more active and better skilled civil society. The lack of information makes it difficult for potentially relevant special procedures mandateholders to give attention to the issue within their respective mandates, including the Special Rapporteurs on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, on racism and related intolerance, education, disability, health, violence against women and violence against children. Similarly, the secrecy surrounding witchcraft and the underground nature of the market associated with the trafficking of persons and organs make it difficult to find evidence relevant to the mandates of the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children and the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons; (e) Further, the scope of certain special procedures mandates prevents the mandate-holders from addressing the issue. For example, persons with albinism do not fall under the internationally accepted definition of minorities, which is limited to national, ethnic, religious or linguistic minorities,44 and do not fall therefore within the scope of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on minority issues. While the definition of “minority” is currently under review, it is unclear at this point whether the new definition will accommodate persons with albinism; (f) Human rights challenges associated with albinism are multi-layered and are not currently being addressed in a comprehensive and sustainable manner by any human rights mechanism. In addition to the fact that they do not fall within the scope of the current definition of minorities, persons with albinism often suffer from poor eyesight and are prone to developing skin cancer, but cannot or would not want to be classified as persons with disabilities, as that would mean adding another layer of labelling and discrimination to which they may be subjected. They are attacked and tortured, and their body parts and organs are trafficked and sold owing to the myths and misconceptions surrounding albinism. Yet the protection afforded to persons with albinism by international human rights treaties does not cater for their special needs or the complexities they face, while existing special procedures can only partly address the situation of persons with albinism from a particular and limited angle to the extent that the scope of their mandates allows. IV. Findings and recommendations 60. Persons with albinism have special needs. In addition to issues pertaining to the rights to life and security of person, it is necessary to address their special needs in terms of education due to their poor eyesight as well as their special health needs, particularly in the area of skin cancer prevention. The situation of human rights of persons with albinism should therefore be addressed in a holistic manner. 43 44 It should be noted that ritual killings and attacks remain undocumented and unreported, owing to the code of silence surrounding such crimes and the vulnerability of the targeted population. See United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities, adopted by General Assembly resolution 47/135 of 18 December 1992. 15