A UN human rights expert called Thursday for the Pakistani government to strengthen its protection of individuals with albinism, a marginalized group whose life experiences are deeply shaped by discrimination and a lack of social awareness about their condition. Additionally, severe health vulnerabilities from intense sun exposure are now exacerbated by climate change.

In emphasizing the severity of the circumstances affecting the community, UN Independent Expert on the human rights of persons with albinism Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond stated:

While much has been done to provide free education, health care and subsidised air and rail travel for persons with albinism, the lack of harmonization between federal and provincial services had led to sporadic and inconsistent provision of support services… Many who need support are unclear about existing policies.

Albinism is a genetic condition that limits or prevents the body from producing melanin, the pigment that contributes to the color of a person’s skin, hair and eyes, leading to pale skin and white or light blonde hair. Societal treatment of individuals with albinism in the country illustrates how they are viewed as being cursed or carrying bad omen. This ostracization has often led to such persons developing negative self-perception, stress and anxiety, which has been worsened by limited job prospects and educational barriers.

Although Miti-Drummond recognized the progress made by the Pakistani government to address the inequalities faced by this group, such as its enactment of the Islamabad Capital Territory Rights of Persons with Disability Act, she stressed that more proactive measures needed to be undertaken. She recommended that federal and provincial legislation should be streamlined to better coordinate efforts in creating policies that enhance the rights of this community in all facets of their life.

For instance, research that was conducted on the Bhatti Tribe in rural Pakistan, where around four percent of villagers had a rare and specific type of albinism known as oculocutaneous albinism, revelaed that the side effects of their condition, such as low vision, made it difficult for them to retain employment. This has only led to them continuing to be socioeconomically disadvantaged. Additionally, given the scarcity of data surrounding individuals with albinism across different sectors, it is an uphill task to accurately identify the range of challenges that they face in daily life, especially since climate change has entered the picture.

Discriminating individuals due to an albinism diagnosis is prohibited under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.