Siobhán Mullally, the UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, will conduct a visit to Guinea-Bissau from November 4-14, 2024. Her mission focuses on assessing challenges in preventing human trafficking and protecting victims’ rights, especially concerning women and children. Mullally will engage with various stakeholders during her visit and will later present her findings to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2025.
The Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, specifically targeting women and children, Siobhán Mullally, is scheduled to undertake a visit to Guinea-Bissau from November 4 to November 14, 2024. The purpose of this mission is to assess the prevalent challenges associated with the effective prevention of human trafficking and the safeguarding of the human rights of victims. Ms. Mullally intends to evaluate the risks and overall incidence of human trafficking, particularly within the context of transitions and the processes of post-conflict peacebuilding. Moreover, she will focus on the risks associated with child trafficking, especially in relation to forced begging and child marriages, while also exploring the gender dimensions of trafficking for sexual exploitation and forced labor, as well as possible remedies available to victims. During her stay in Guinea-Bissau, Ms. Mullally will travel to several locations including Bissau, Bafata, Cambadju, and Gabú, where she will engage in discussions with representatives from the government, United Nations officials, law enforcement agencies, civil society organizations, human rights defenders, trafficking survivors, and development partners. On November 14, at 10:00 local time, the Special Rapporteur will convene a press conference at the Hotel Ceiba in Bissau, providing an opportunity for journalists to learn about her findings, although access to this conference will be restricted to accredited media personnel. Following her visit, Ms. Mullally is expected to deliver her comprehensive report to the United Nations Human Rights Council in June 2025.
Human trafficking remains a pervasive violation of human rights, impacting millions around the world, with women and children being disproportionately affected. In Guinea-Bissau, socio-economic challenges and historical contexts, including issues arising from post-conflict conditions, have created an environment where trafficking can thrive. Given the alarming rates of forced begging and child marriage, there is a pressing need to scrutinize and address the underlying factors contributing to these violations. The visit of the Special Rapporteur is a significant step toward understanding and mitigating these challenges and highlights the international community’s commitment to combating human trafficking.
In summary, the upcoming visit of Special Rapporteur Siobhán Mullally to Guinea-Bissau signifies a crucial effort to address the pressing issues of human trafficking, particularly concerning women and children. Her comprehensive assessment aims to uncover the obstacles to the prevention of trafficking and the protection of victims’ rights, while also shedding light on the gender dynamics involved in trafficking. The insights gained from this mission are anticipated to contribute significantly to future strategies and interventions aimed at eradicating human trafficking in the region.
Original Source: www.miragenews.com
