A two-year-old albino boy was found alive in early June by gendarmes in Beroroha, in southwestern Madagascar. The child had been kidnapped by armed individuals and held captive in a hut in the village of Ankaviao, in the highlands. The swift intervention of law enforcement allowed them to rescue him unharmed, a fortunate outcome given that most victims of albinism are found too late. The kidnappers have been arrested.
Deadly occult beliefs
This kidnapping is part of a wave of attacks specifically targeting people with albinism in certain regions of Madagascar. These attacks are motivated by persistent occult beliefs that attribute magical powers to the organs and limbs of people with albinism. These criminal practices fuel a macabre trafficking network, making them particularly vulnerable in isolated rural areas.
This rescue operation highlights the need to strengthen the protection of albino children, a particularly vulnerable population. The Malagasy authorities face a major challenge in eradicating these deadly superstitions and guaranteeing the safety of these discriminated-against individuals. Every successful intervention remains a rare relief given the scale of the problem.
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