African Victim Evicted from Safe House

Back in January, a story surfaced about the horrifying plight of albinos in Tanzania. The country revoked the licenses of all the traditional healers in an effort to stop the increasing drive-by killings of albinos. Over fifty albinos have been murdered in the past two years by people who use their body parts in witchcraft. Civil rights groups say "the killers sell body parts including limbs, hair, skin and genitals to witch doctors" for use in rituals.

Now, an albino woman who survived an attack is facing the prospect of returning to the village where she nearly died. Mariam Staford Bandaba was attacked by a gang with machetes a year ago. They chopped off one of her arms, and her other hand had to be amputated by surgeons. What's unusual about Bandaba's case -- other than her survival -- is that she identified her attackers. She's been living in a safe house ever since. Now, however, the government has decided she needs to move out, and they want to send her back to her village -- the very place where the attack occurred, and where those who tried to kill her still live today.

On the plus side, a local businessman heard of her plight, and has agreed to let her and her mother live in a room in his house for a year. Sadly, there's no telling what will happen to her after that.

In March, an eight-year-old child albino was killed and dismembered. Just recently, three men were convicted of murdering a 13-year-old albino boy in order to sell his body parts.

President Jakaya Kikwete has said the albino murders "have brought shame to Tanzania." Ninety people have been arrested so far, but few have been convicted.

Follow Pagan/Wiccan on Twitter or Join Me On Facebook!