Anywhere but Here: a Calculus for Protection of Children with Albinism

Abstract

As the 1951 Refugee Convention advances into its 70th anniversary, there are mixed feelings as to whether it has lived up to its aspiration. For while it may be hailed as a significant force in the human rights arena (broadly construed), its narrow focus excludes millions who are constantly subjected to various forms of atrocities at the hands of their governments or third parties. Two major concerns to potential asylum seekers, refugee activists and human rights scholars have been the Convention’s conceptualisation of ‘refugee’ and its status determination processes. This duality is demonstrated in the exclusion of ‘disability’ from the international definition of ‘refugee’ and, more specifically, elimination of ‘albinism’ as a humanitarian imperative. Since children with albinism (CwA) are victims of or face constant threats of persecution and there is limited domestic safeguard, the paper argues that the UN Refugee Agency must partner with western countries in resettling these children and similarly situated persons. The focus on CwA is informed by their limited physical strength to ward off their attackers, thereby making them more vulnerable to abduction and related atrocities. By drawing from the USA’ ‘Lost Boys of Sudan’ narrative, the paper concludes that parties to the UN Refugee Convention should introspect on the humanitarian obligation and assist with the evacuation of these endangered children to overcome their current plight.