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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 will be visiting Ghana at the invitation of the Government and 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.
GENEVA – 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 will be visiting Ghana at the invitation of the Government where 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.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) have disclosed details of their recent closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu, explaining that the engagement focused on strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The clarification came amid speculation surrounding the meeting, which took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja after leaders of several opposition parties attended an Iftar dinner hosted by the president earlier in the week.
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Speaking during a gathering hosted in Abuja by the SDP’s former presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo on Friday, the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, said the meeting with Tinubu followed an official invitation from the Presidency and lasted about an hour.
According to Gombe, the discussion centred on the need to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral laws and restore public confidence in the country’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 polls.
He explained that the meeting provided an opportunity for party leaders to remind the president of the importance of conducting transparent, free, and credible elections.
Gombe noted that democracy can only thrive when governments listen to the concerns of citizens and ensure electoral processes that guarantee fairness and accountability.
The SDP chairman also expressed concern over growing voter apathy, pointing to the low turnout recorded in the recent Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory.
He said the Abuja Municipal Area Council election witnessed only about seven per cent voter turnout, which he described as a clear sign that many Nigerians are losing confidence in the electoral system.
Gombe urged the government and members of the National Assembly to take urgent steps to review electoral laws and rebuild public trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of IPAC, Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, said political parties used the meeting to raise concerns about aspects of proposed electoral reforms, particularly issues related to indirect primaries and the mandatory electronic transmission of results.
Dantalle explained that the parties appealed to the president to use his influence to encourage legislative review where necessary, noting that reforms should strengthen, rather than complicate, the democratic process.
He expressed optimism that Tinubu would consider the concerns raised and support necessary amendments that would improve the electoral system.
The IPAC chairman also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strictly adhere to electoral guidelines as preparations for the next election cycle begin.
Earlier in his remarks, Adebayo cautioned political actors against turning the 2027 general elections into a do-or-die contest, stressing that the primary goal of democracy should be the progress and stability of Nigeria rather than personal political victories.
He urged leaders across political parties to encourage citizens to actively participate in the democratic process and ensure that elections are conducted peacefully and transparently.
President Bola Tinubu and Mr. Taiwo Oyedele during his nomination on Wednesday.
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