The UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, Siobhán Mullally, will assess trafficking issues in Guinea-Bissau from November 4 to 14, 2024. Her visit will focus on identifying challenges faced in preventing trafficking, protecting victims’ rights, and examining the specific risks to children and gender-based trafficking. Insights gathered during this visit will inform a report to be presented at the UN Human Rights Council in June 2025.
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, particularly focusing on women and children, Ms. Siobhán Mullally, is scheduled to conduct an official visit to Guinea-Bissau from November 4 to November 14, 2024. During her visit, Ms. Mullally will address the critical challenges pertaining to the prevention of trafficking and the safeguarding of the human rights of victims. She is specifically interested in exploring the prevalence and risks associated with trafficking in persons within the frameworks of transitional and post-conflict peacebuilding.
The ongoing issue of trafficking in persons remains a significant concern in many regions, especially affecting vulnerable populations such as women and children. Guinea-Bissau, with its complex socio-political landscape post-conflict, poses unique challenges wherein human rights violations may be exacerbated. The Special Rapporteur’s investigation seeks to identify these risks, particularly as they relate to forced begging among children and child marriage, which are pressing issues in the locality. Her examination will also extend to assessing the gender dimensions related to trafficking for sexual exploitation and forced labor, thereby aiming to inform policy and advocate for effective remedies.
In summary, Ms. Siobhán Mullally’s impending visit to Guinea-Bissau signals a critical attempt to understand and combat the trafficking of persons in this context. She will engage with a diverse array of stakeholders, from government officials to survivors, to gain insights into the challenges at hand. Her findings, which will culminate in a report to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2025, are anticipated to contribute significantly to the discourse on human trafficking and inform future action.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
