Protecting the Right to Life of People Living With Albinism. A Case Study of Kenya

Diploma Thesis from the year 2018 in the subject Law - Public Law / Constitutional Law / Basic Rights, grade: 64, De Montfort University Leicester (Business and Law), course: LAW, language: English, abstract: This paper examines the question, how, based on the right to life, the lifes of people with albinism can and should be protected in the case of Kenya. The Right to life is an inherent right, and both state and non-state actors have legal obligations to refrain from intentional and unlawful deprivation of life. In spite of this, the belief and practice of witchcraft are traditionally rooted in a number of African communities, this has led in a series of violations of the rights of persons living with albinism. The most barbaric of all being the evisceration of their body parts or bones, to use them in witchcraft rituals, aimed to bring success in one's life, cure diseases and also keep evil at bay. Nevertheless, this study examines the legal significance of international treaties protecting the right to life and security of persons living with albinism. An illustration of the principles established in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities and other core international norms that ordinarily protect the right to life will be demonstrated. Notably, international human rights serve as a catalyst for legal change, through furthering the promotion of fundamental human rights. In light of this observation, this study illustrates national court cases, domestic laws and practices structured by the Kenyan government that comply with its international obligations, in promoting and preserving the right to life of people with albinism.