UN expert calls for further measures to curb discrimination against people with albinism News
Mstyslav Chernov, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
UN expert calls for further measures to curb discrimination against people with albinism

The UN independent expert on the enjoyment of human rights by persons with albinism called on member states Monday to take further steps to promote employment rights for persons with albinism through more progressive laws, policies, and implementation.

Muluka-Anne Miti-Drummond, in her latest report to the UN Human Rights Council, explained:

The right to employment is a critical lifeline for persons with albinism, who, by virtue of their visual impairment and melanin deficiency, as well as stigma and discrimination against them, experience a range of barriers and challenges in the enjoyment of their rights, including additional expenses.

People with albinism produce little or no melanin. The quantity of melanin in your body determines skin, eye, and hair color. Melanin plays a key role in eye development and function, and people with albinism are more likely to develop vision problems. The condition is often misunderstood both socially and medically. People with the disability regularly face marginalization, social exclusion, stigma, and discrimination, particularly in the workplace and when receiving healthcare. 

“In some communities, erroneous beliefs and myths, heavily influenced by superstition, put the security and lives of persons with albinism at constant risk. These beliefs and myths are centuries old and are present in cultural attitudes and practices around the world,” Miti-Drummond said.

International law provides individuals with rights to work, free choice of employment, and equal opportunities without discrimination based on race, sex, religion, or disability. Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights grants “protection against unemployment” as well as “the right to equal pay for equal work.”

The expert argued that these protections impose an obligation on nations to promote employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and create reasonable workplace accommodations. She noted that while legal and policy provisions at the national level are encouraging and necessary, member states must take increased actionable steps to translate laws and policies into meaningful interventions to uplift employment opportunities for and reduce discrimination faced by people with albinism.

The UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution in 2013 that called for the prevention of attacks and discrimination against persons with albinism. After receiving feedback from multiple human rights groups, the council mandated an independent expert to work with nations to improve social conditions for people with albinism.

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