“Fatal Discrimination”: Exploring Civil Society and State Perspectives on the Human Rights Situation of Persons with Albinism in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract This study explores civil society and state perspectives on the human rights status of persons with albinism ( PWA ), a rare genetic condition characterized by reduced or absent pigmentation of the hair, skin, and eyes. This analysis examines the “situated knowledge” in civil society organisations ( CSO s) regarding the human rights situation of PWA in six sub-Saharan African states. The dataset comes from the Universal Periodic Review ( UPR ), the United Nations’ five-yearly treaty-monitoring programme. The findings reveal continuing serious human rights pathologies that PWA suffer, including widespread persecution, stigmatization, and murder owing to discrimination, superstition and witchcraft. Moreover, it shows governments’ policy responses have generally been inadequate; while some record progress, others deny or downplay PWA rights violations. The wider significance of this highlights the need for improved government action, including raising awareness of the issue and stricter monitoring of states’ UN treaty obligations.