The mutilated body of a one-year-old albino boy has been discovered
in a Tanzanian forest - prompting the United Nations to demand an end to
attacks for witchcraft rituals.
Yohana Bahati was snatched by an armed gang on 15 February, and police believe the toddler's arms and legs were hacked off so they could be used in witchcraft rituals.
His mother was slashed with a machete during the abduction and is in a critical condition in hospital, while his two siblings - who also suffer from a lack of pigment in their hair, eyes and skin - are under police protection.
Despite the Tanzanian government introducing a ban on witch doctors, who claim charms and spells made using albino body parts bring wealth and good luck, at least 70 people who suffer from albinism have been murdered in the African country over the past 10 years.
A four-year-old albino girl is still missing after being kidnapped in December.
The UN's human rights chief, Zeid Ra'ad al Hussein, has condemned the "horrific murder and mutilation of Yohana Bahati" - and warned such attacks are on the increase.
According to the organisation, politicians could be behind the spate of killings.
With
an election coming up in October, it is thought some candidates may be
hiring sorcerers to make charms which will improve their luck before the
ballot.
Alvaro Rodriguez, the UN coordinator for Tanzania, said: "Attacks against people with albinism can never be justified - not by culture, tradition or religion.
"When will people in my country realise that organs of persons with albinism will never make one wealthy, successful and win elections?
"This could be a dangerous year for people living with albinism."
Although albinism only affects one in 20,000 people in the West, it is estimated that one in 1,400 Tanzanians suffer from the disorder - often because of inbreeding.
On the Tanzanian black market, the entire corpse of an albino person can sell for £49,000.
Police are continuing their search for Yohana's killers, and have detained his father, who was close by when the abduction took place.
Yohana Bahati was snatched by an armed gang on 15 February, and police believe the toddler's arms and legs were hacked off so they could be used in witchcraft rituals.
His mother was slashed with a machete during the abduction and is in a critical condition in hospital, while his two siblings - who also suffer from a lack of pigment in their hair, eyes and skin - are under police protection.
Despite the Tanzanian government introducing a ban on witch doctors, who claim charms and spells made using albino body parts bring wealth and good luck, at least 70 people who suffer from albinism have been murdered in the African country over the past 10 years.
A four-year-old albino girl is still missing after being kidnapped in December.
The UN's human rights chief, Zeid Ra'ad al Hussein, has condemned the "horrific murder and mutilation of Yohana Bahati" - and warned such attacks are on the increase.
According to the organisation, politicians could be behind the spate of killings.
With
an election coming up in October, it is thought some candidates may be
hiring sorcerers to make charms which will improve their luck before the
ballot.Alvaro Rodriguez, the UN coordinator for Tanzania, said: "Attacks against people with albinism can never be justified - not by culture, tradition or religion.
"When will people in my country realise that organs of persons with albinism will never make one wealthy, successful and win elections?
"This could be a dangerous year for people living with albinism."
Although albinism only affects one in 20,000 people in the West, it is estimated that one in 1,400 Tanzanians suffer from the disorder - often because of inbreeding.
On the Tanzanian black market, the entire corpse of an albino person can sell for £49,000.
Police are continuing their search for Yohana's killers, and have detained his father, who was close by when the abduction took place.
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