The Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria, invites you to a hybrid discussion on the landmark judgment of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Application No. 019/2018 Centre for Human Rights & Others v. The United Republic of Tanzania which reaffirmed the rights of persons with albinism. The application was filed as part of the Centre’s response to the plight of persons with albinism in the United Republic of Tanzania, and in particular challenged the State’s failure to protect persons with albinism from widespread discrimination, persecution and humiliation that have occurred since time immemorial.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, 5 June 2025
Time: 14:00 - 15:30 SAST
Venue: Hybrid
The application was based on evidence and reports revealing that persons with albinism in Tanzania suffered difficulties in accessing essential social services, were subjected to sexual violence, abductions, body mutilation and killings, all rooted in harmful cultural beliefs and practices. These harmful cultural beliefs and practices include the characterisation of children with albinism as a curse, the mythical belief that sleeping with women with albinism would magically cure HIV and AIDS, and believing that using the body parts of persons with albinism would bring wealth, luck and success in business and politics.
The discussion is part of a series engaging on key decisions issued by African human rights bodies AHRBs), with a view to increasing awareness and understanding among relevant stakeholders about latest and high impact jurisprudence as well as progress with and challenges relating to implementation of the measures issued therein.
Discussion points
- Background on the case and human rights context: Persecution of people with albinism in Tanzania
- Orders issued by the Court: Discussion of ‘time-bound reparation orders’, where the Republic of Tanzania violated the African Charter on People and Human Rights, orders regarding the amendment of legislation, order to take necessary steps to realise the right to education and health, and raise awareness on the myths of albinism. Among other orders, the Court issued orders concerning the needs of children with albinism and reducing the overcrowding of shelters.
- Legal Implications: Alignment with the African Charter, CRPD, and regional accountability mechanisms.
- Implementation Challenges and Analysis: Political will, stigma, resources, and monitoring, the order of the court for Tanzania to report on the status of implementation of the decision, every six months until the court considers that it has been fully implemented. Potentials of the order, including an order for an implementation hearing to be held within three years of the date of the notification of this judgment.
- Role of different stakeholders in enforcement of the decision: Governments, NGOs, media, and international bodies in enforcement and advocacy.
Significance of the case: How the African Court judgment is a timely message to other African states to fight against harmful cultural beliefs and practices endured by persons with albinism for several decades without redress and hold perpetrators accountable. Noting that, Tanzania has the highest population of persons with albinism globally. Considering how this landmark judgment sets a precedent on which to base the enforcement and protection of the rights of persons with albinism in other parts of Africa and globally. In addition, a consideration of how the drafting of the remedies with time-bound requirements and compulsory reporting will perhaps increase the likelihood of implementation.
