UNITED NATIONS, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations expressed its support for persons with albinism who face stigma, discrimination, barriers in health and education, and invisibility in social and political arenas on Thursday, the International Albinism Awareness Day.
Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres, told the press that this year's theme is "Still Standing Strong."
This is a call to recognise, celebrate and stand in solidarity with persons with albinism around the world, and to support their cause -- from their accomplishments to the promotion and protection of their human rights by governments, he said.
The United Nations organized on Thursday a side-event for persons with albinism, during the 12th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
According to the concept note of the side-event, since 2010, there have been around 700 cases of attacks and killings of persons with albinism in 28 countries.
The attacks have several root causes including ignorance, longstanding stigma, poverty and most abhorrently, harmful practices emanating from manifestation of beliefs in witchcraft, it added. " The alarming reality is that these horrendous practices continue today. "
Albinism is a rare, non-contagious, genetically inherited difference present at birth. Due to a lack of melanin in the skin and eyes, persons with albinism often have permanent visual impairment which often lead to disabilities.
On Dec. 18, 2014, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming, with effect from June 13, 2015 as International Albinism Awareness Day.
