BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—Theologian, Educationist and Social development scientist, Qeko Jele, has taken a swipe at Non-Governmental Organizations for being in deep slumber while Albinos are brutally butchered.
Jele, in his article titled ‘Workable solution to end Albino killings in Malawi,’ suggests that NGO’s joint advocacy against Albino killings could be one way of curbing the malpractice but to his surprise some human rights campaigners have chosen to be silent.
“NGO’s joint advocacy against Albino killings is what is needed in Malawi at the moment. Amazingly not all Human Rights NGOs are condemning the killing of Albinos in Malawi. Those NGOs that used to leading in demonstrations are this time silent when Albinos are brutally butchered.
“Albinos have been left alone to fight for their survival while human rights organizations with huge funding are not doing anything. This is an irony and a surprise in human rights activism in Malawi today,” reads the article in part.
Jele, in the article, has suggested six approaches if Malawi is to end Albino killings: a need for a presidential decree over the matter, MPs constituency advocacy, review of the laws, empowering the traditional leaders and NGO’s joint advocacy.
Cases of Albino killings in Malawi have reached centre stage. The number of people living with albinism who have been abducted and killed in Malawi has now reached 17 in the last two years, according to officials.
The situation has now reached crisis proportions with President Peter Mutharika admitting that it was a challenge facing the nation.
“It is disheartening to learn of the rising incidences of abductions, killings and exhumations of the remains of people with albinism,” bemoaned Mutharika, during an audience he had with people living with albinism in Lilongwe weeks ago.
Just this year alone, six albinos namely, David Fletcher Machinjiri, Jenifer Namusyo, Enelesi Nkhata, Whitney Chilumpha, Eunice Phiri and Harry Mokoshini had been murdered in various parts of the country.