Written Statements submitted to the UN Human Rights Council in 2012

FI delivered a joint written statement to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children and the Human Rights and the Human Rights Council to the plight of albino children in the United Republic of Tanzania. In recent years, people with albinism have been subjected to high levels of violence and killed due to witchcraft beliefs that their body parts bring wealth and success to those who consume them. Further, they are often rejected by their families and communities who consider them a "curse" and are subjected to extreme discrimination and stigmatisation. Whilst the Government of Tanzania has highlighted its commitment and progress to addressing the situation, FI believes that there is an urgent need to take immediate action to protect this vulnerable group of children and to eradicate the practice. FI recommends a fully integrated response at the regional, national and international level based on three axes: prosecution, prevention and protection. This should involve coordination amongst different actors, including the Government, civil society, communities, families, schools and children, along with the assistance of the international community. 

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During the UPR of Indonesia in 2008, the government agreed to ratify the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture, Cruel, Inhumane and Other Degrading Treatment or Punishment, to include the crime of torture in the criminal code, and to increase its efforts to combat the lack of accountability for human rights violations committed. However provisions have yet to be made in the military and civil penal codes to criminalise torture and the Indonesian security forces continue to use it to extract confessions and maintain order. FI urges the Government of Indonesia to: ensure the Convention against Torture is respected within national law so as to criminalise the procedure of torture; to ensure that military personnel who commit crimes, including torture, against civilians are tried in civilian court; to implement at least one national prevention mechanism.

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Further to the annual report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-Gerneral on Violence against Children, FI submitted a written statement to draw attention to the issue of child marriage which is a deeply-rooted tradition in Indian society. The practice is related to socio-cultural, gender, economic and political factors. FI urges the Government of India to improve the situation by taking various actions including the monitoring of the implementation of the 'Prohibition Child Marriage Act' 2006.

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