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27
November 2008
The Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery,
its causes and consequences, Ms. Gulnara Shahinian, issues the following
statement on
International Slavery Day, 2 December 2008
GENEVA -- "Slavery is the reality of modern day life.
It has evolved in many parts of the world into many diverse and cruel
forms", says, new UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery
its causes and consequences, Ms. Gulnara Shahinian.
"Last year, the world celebrated 200 years of the
abolition of the slave trade. However, slavery is not history," warns
the UN expert. "Despite significant progress in the fight against
slavery in many parts of the world, these efforts seem to be
insufficient."
Slavery is a worldwide phenomenon affecting rich and poor
countries. Today, there are more than 27 million men, women, boys and girls
who live their every day in slavery or slavery-like conditions. Slavery and
slavery-like practices go hand in hand with poverty, social exclusion, and
marginalisation, and discrimination, lack of access to education, weak law
enforcement and corruption.
"Recent cases where governments have been found
guilty of failing to protect their citizens against slavery, alerts us to the
fact that to be successful in the fight against slavery, we need to
acknowledge the existence of traditional forms of slavery, increase our
understanding of slavery in its modern forms and develop innovative
strategies to tackle slavery," says Ms. Shahinian.
What is often forgotten is that whether it exists as part
of a social, religious or economic system, slavery in all its forms exists,
traditional and modern, and flourishes as a result of demand. The result of
the labour of approximately 12.3 million forced labourers only serves to
benefit a greedy and selfish few who exploit them.
Forced labourers include those who are kept in more
traditional forms of forced labour such as debt bondage and sexual slavery.
Today, in situations were labourers are being forced to work, slavery-like
practices occur with regard to domestic workers and as well as in the
construction, and food and garment industry. Some of the most traditional
forms of slavery such as debt bondage has evolved and now manifests itself in
the plight of some migrant domestic workers.
The International Labour
Organization states that global minimum estimates of forced labor in its main
forms show that 64% of forced labor is for economic exploitation by private
economic agents. With the current economic downturn, this is likely to get
worse as it is the fate of the poorest that will get a great deal worse-with
women and children suffering the most.
"In order to
effectively combat slavery, all actors involved in this struggle, must seek
to work together in order for sustainable results. This means governments,
civil society, development organizations, businesses and UN agencies all
working together to develop policies that are centered around promoting and
protecting human rights", says the Special Rapporteur.
Ms. Shahinian also urges
countries to ratify UN and regional documents related to the fight against
slavery and full implementation of international legal norms prohibiting
slavery.
"Stronger political
will from Governments is needed to introduce respective changes in national
legislation, enforce the laws and develop sustainable programs that would
include education for law enforcement officials , fight against corruption,
provide economic opportunities and where necessary compensation or
rehabilitation for those who have suffered from slavery," warns the UN
expert.
"It is also necessary
that slavery issues be addressed in international and national poverty
reduction strategies and in education programs," stresses the Special
Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery its causes and consequences.
ENDS
Ms. Gulnara Shahinian was
appointed as the first Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery,
its causes and consequences in May 2008. She is a lawyer with extensive
experience as an expert consultant for various UN, EU, Council of Europe,
OSCE and government bodies on children's rights, gender, migration and
trafficking. Ms Shahinian is also a former trustee of the UN Voluntary Trust
Fund on Contemporary forms of Slavery.
For further information on
the work and mandate of the Special Rapporteur, please write to srslavery@ohchr.org, or visit the website:
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/slavery/rapporteur/index.htm
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