END OF THE MONTH FEBRUARY PRESIDENT SPEECH, 2015, THE HON.DR. JAKAYA MRISHO KIKWETE, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA, RELEASED ON 1 MARCH, 2015 IN RELATION TO THE KILLINGS OF PEOPLE WITH ALBINISM
Killings of People With Albinism
Dear Citizens;
Very saddened by reports that the killings of our relatives with albinism (Albino) emerged renewed after the situation stabilized in 2011. Last year (2014) 3 events occurred 3 in Mwanza, Tabora and Simiyu and this year the 1 event has occurred 1 Geita region.
We must curse violently killings our relatives with albinism. The are acts of brutality that is not expected to be done or happen in any community of people who are savages, the people who worship God. People with albinism are fellow humans, with equal rights to life and protection of their lives just like any other humans. they should not be treated this way. They should not live in fear in their villages, their neighborhood or in their country. The whole community and all of us individually and in our unity, we have a duty to ensure the safety of their lives and their property as all others.
Actually, killings of People With Albinism humiliates and reflects a bad image of our nation. these are unbearable acts. We must all come as one and ensure that we deal with this appropriately and defeat people who commits these acts.. We must not let them get us back in the past when the situations were worst. I too and Tanzania Albino Society (TAS) condemn this violence and want everyone involved in this cruel to be found out, and be arrested, be brought before a court and given severe punishment accordingly once are found guilty.
Dear Fellow Citizens;
Let me assure you that at all times the government has been taking the issue of killings of People with Albinism or cut some of their body parts seriously . We have done so without exhausting since the first event after I had come to power in April 17, 2006 and three months later in Nyahunge, Geita when Alfa Amon was killed and 2 suspects 2 were killed by civilians. Year 2007 there were 7 events 7. Year 2008 That was a very bad year they killed 18 people 18.
Due to the great efforts made by the Government and the citizens, killings of People with Albinism declined to be 9 year 2009. Year 2010 there was 1 incident 1 by year 2011 there was no any event. Year 2012 there was 1 incident 1, year 2013 they killed 1 person 1 and 2 Injured. Year 2014 They killed people 3 and 2 Injured, and January, 2015 there have been 1 case. 1 in Geita.
Dear Fellow Citizens;
Since 2006 to 2015, 139 suspects 139 have been arrested, among them are 16 suspected 16 in the events of December and January this year. 35 Counsel 35 open court and among these 10 still persist and are in various stages. Suspects 73 been allowed to 15 have been convicted. Of those who were found guilty 13 have been sentenced to death and two have received months imprisonment 6. Suspects in six cases still at large.
Incidents of killings of people with albinism have occurred in regions 10 between regions 30 locally. These regions are the following: Mwanza events 13, Kagera 6, Tabora 5, Geita 4, Immediately 4, Kigoma 4, Simiyu 3, Shinyanga 2, Arusha 1 and Mbeya 1. You will see events 41 between 43 happened in the zone of the lake which also lead to the killing of the elderly and women because of superstition.
Dear Fellow Citizens;
It is possible that recent events indicates that this crime would emerge renewed. I would like to assure our brothers with albinism and Tanzanians in general, that we will not leave the situation as bad as it was in years past. We will use the techniques and knowledge we have used a large wave of killings face it existed in 2007 and 2008 and therefore we can reduce to a lack of any incident of murder in 2011.
Tunachokiomba from citizens is cooperation and support to expose those who commit acts of murder and cut links people with albinism. Also help provide information about the buyers of the members and physicians who inspires requirements albino organs. Cooperation of the people of the time make available to the success I explained. I believe this time we do that we will succeed too.
Dear Fellow Citizens;
Completely eradicate cases of murder and cutting of links to people with albinism is possible. However,, would depend on superstitious beliefs people stop. Misconceptions, ATI that person with a link to the person with albinism will succeed in its business activities, fishing and mining all evil is the catalyst for the ongoing. It's ridiculous how, for a person to believe that its success will depend on his efforts and his knowledge but have a link to his fellow man with albinism.
I said in my speech at the end of March, 2008 that, as having a link there kutakakomfanya albino man to succeed in commercial activities and economic let our brothers with albinism would be the highest earners in the world. For they not only have the ingredients but are soaked. Because of the existence of these beliefs uselessly, efforts to educate communities to overcome these mistaken beliefs multiplied. I pray that this is what should be a cornerstone in this struggle. Tukifanikiwa in this, All these problems fail. Government and society will not be obliged to handle these things which is not only a disgrace to kumsimulia person but scary and sad.
Dear Fellow Citizens;
Next week I met with some of the leaders and members of the Association of People with Disabilities of the Skin. I acknowledge their requests to meet with them so that I can listen to their views and we can share them ideas on how best to finish this problem. I believe that close cooperation between the Government and the community will enable us to eradicate the killing of our brothers with albinism and clear our nation this shame.