UN expert on contemporary forms of slavery launches first mission to Ghana
GENEVA, Switzerland, November 20, 2013/African Press Organization (APO)/ – United Nations Special Rapporteur Gulnara Shahinian will visit Ghana from 22 to 29 November 2013, to assess the situation on the ground with regard to slavery-like practices in the country. Ms. Shahinian is the first UN independent expert monitoring contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences to visit Ghana.
“I will explore strategies to address the current challenges in ending such practices, including the use of the worst forms of child-labor in a number of economic sectors, and other forms of contemporary slavery that are often less visible such as domestic servitude, and those emerging from harmful traditional practices,” she said.
The Special Rapporteur will gather first-hand information from all relevant stakeholders, including the Government, civil society, affected communities and UN counterparts working on issues relevant to her mandate, which includes a range of issues and forms of contemporary slavery such as servile marriages and forced and bonded labour.
“During my nine-day visit, I will discuss good practices and the impact of policies and programs which have been adopted to both prevent and address slavery-like practices,” Ms. Shahinian said. “As importantly, I will also conduct field visits so that I can speak to victims and discuss their experiences, challenges and solutions first-hand.”
The UN Human Rights Council Special Rapporteur is visiting Ghana at the invitation of the Government.
A press conference will be held in Accra on Friday, 29 November 2013, at the conclusion of Ms. Shahinian’s visit.
A comprehensive report on the findings of the visit will be presented to the Human Rights Council in September 2014.
Credit: United Nations – Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)