CRPD/C/22/D/24/2014 districts, in particular in areas where killings of persons with albinism were rampant. On 24 September 2014, the Commission, in collaboration with the organizations Under the Same Sun and the Tanzania Albinism Society and other stakeholders, organized a public event with the theme “Rights to peace for all: stop killing persons with albinism”. On this occasion, the public was informed about how to take steps to individually and collectively promote the rights of persons with albinism. 4.15 The State party disputes the allegations that it has not demonstrated or taken appropriate measures to curtail the targeted physical, emotional and mental abuse of its citizens. The State party reacted immediately to the attacks and killings of persons with albinism, which reached a climax in the period 2006–2007. Special task forces were formed to investigate and prosecute attacks of persons with albinism, and the arrests and prosecutions conducted to date are the result of collaborative efforts between the police, prosecutors and the judiciary. Substantial information was received, and is still being received, through a community policing initiative, whereby the police have made concerted efforts to be accessible to the society and community that it protects in order to receive credible information. The State party took appropriate measures to stop such killings with the formation of a task force, the suspension by the Government of all licences of traditional healers in 2008, public awareness campaigns and the fast-tracking of the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases, including specific criminal sessions for cases related to attacks against and killings of persons with albinism in order to expedite their adjudication. These vigorous measures have contributed to the reduction in attacks against and killings of persons with albinism. The Ministry of Home Affairs is currently in the process of revoking the licences of traditional healers and will visit the parts of the country where attacks against persons with albinism are most prevalent, with the aim of tracing the unscrupulous practitioners who promote the concept that the body parts of persons with albinism are linked to the attainment of wealth and success. 4.16 The Director of Public Prosecutions is conducting various initiatives that are focused on sharing information and strategies such as fast-tracking investigation and prosecution and handling the challenges faced by institutions when dealing with cases involving attacks against and killings of persons with albinism. For instance, the Director of Public Prosecutions conducts inspections of the regions where incidents of crimes targeting persons with albinism are highly reported. The aim of the inspections is to examine police case files in order to obtain accurate data on the number and status of cases, while counselling victims and encouraging potential witnesses who were reluctant to testify in court. 4.17 The State party submits that many challenges have to be overcome and efforts continue to be made. However, it should not be perceived that the State party has made no efforts and is not concerned with the situation of persons with albinism. It refutes the allegations that it has failed to observe the author’s rights, in violation of articles 5, 6, 8, 10, 14, 15 (1), 16 and 17 of the Convention. 4.18 The State party further submits that a number of remedies sought in the communication have already been implemented either fully or in part. The State party shall continue to make every effort and fulfil its obligations as the main duty bearer in the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with albinism. 4.19 The State party reiterates that the issue of reparation has never been raised before national courts, that the author has not exhausted all available domestic remedies, and that the Committee has no jurisdiction to decide on matters of reparation that have never been raised within the State party. Author’s comments on the State party’s observations on admissibility and the merits 5.1 On 25 August 2016, the author submitted her comments to the State party’s observations on admissibility and the merits, arguing that the rule on exhaustion of domestic remedies should not be used as a protective shield by States that have not established a suitable environment for promoting, protecting and preserving the rights of its individuals. In that connection, the author refers to the jurisprudence of international and 6