In South Africa, racial discrimination has received considerable attention from researchers, human rights advocates and scholars. Because of South Africa’s apartheid legacy, the focus on racial discrimination is justified. Despite the focus on racial discrimination in South African society, certain population groups have been neglected. Specifically, race and colour-based discrimination against persons with albinism has received little or no attention despite the existence of anecdotal evidence indicating that persons with albinism experience this kind of discrimination daily.
There is a lack of data and evidence on the precise impact of race and colour-based discrimination on the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by persons with albinism. In response, the Centre for Human Rights a project titled ‘The impact of race and colour on the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by persons with albinism in South Africa.’
As part of this project, the Centre hosted a two-day capacity-strengthening workshop from 28 - 29 February 2024 for organisations of persons with albinism on the impact of race and colour-based discrimination on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism in South Africa. The workshop sought to develop the capacity of organisations of persons with albinism to advocate for eliminating race and colour-based discrimination by equipping them with knowledge and data on the social and human rights impact of this discrimination on persons with albinism.
The workshop was based on findings from a research study conducted by the Centre in 2023 titled ‘The impact race and colour on the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by persons with albinism in South Africa.’ The workshop addressed the impact of race and colour-based discrimination on fundamental human rights such as education, employment, health, access to justice and freedom from violence and abuse. Various South African organisations of persons with albinism were represented at the workshop, including the South African National Albinism Taskforce, Proud Albinism, Ibutho Lezwe Foundation, Albinism Society of South Africa, Albinism People with Vision, My Voice Albinism, Tassie Foundation, Albinism Renaissance Forum, Beauty by Nature, We are People Foundation and Amnesty International. By arming organisations of persons with albinism with evidence and data on the human rights impact of race and colour-based discrimination, it is anticipated that they will be better equipped to advocate for the rights of persons with albinism in South Africa.
For more information, please contact:
Tel: +27 (0)12 420 6398
dianah.msipa@up.ac.za
