The Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, Siobhán Mullally, will visit Guinea-Bissau from November 4 to 14, 2024, to examine trafficking issues, specifically concerning women and children. She will explore the context of post-conflict peacebuilding, forced begging, and child marriage, meeting various stakeholders, and she will hold a press conference at the end of her visit. Ms. Mullally’s findings will be reported to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2025.
The Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, particularly targeting women and children, Siobhán Mullally, is scheduled to visit Guinea-Bissau from November 4 to November 14, 2024. This visit aims to address significant hurdles in the prevention of trafficking and to safeguard the human rights of victims. Ms. Mullally will investigate both the risks and prevalence of trafficking within the context of transitions and post-conflict peacebuilding efforts. Specific attention will be directed towards the trafficking of children, particularly in forced begging and child marriage situations, as well as the gender-related dimensions of trafficking for sexual exploitation and forced labor, including the evaluation of effective remedies for victims. Throughout her time in Guinea-Bissau, Ms. Mullally will engage with representatives from the government, UN officials, law enforcement agencies, civil society organizations, human rights defenders, survivors, and other development partners. A press conference is scheduled for 10:00 AM local time on November 14, at the Hotel Ceiba in Bissau, although access will be restricted strictly to media personnel. The findings and observations compiled during this visit will be presented by Ms. Mullally to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2025. Ms. Siobhán Mullally holds the position of Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, and is among the esteemed independent experts aligned with the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures are recognized as the most extensive body of independent experts within the UN Human Rights framework responsible for investigating both specific country situations and thematic issues worldwide. It is crucial to note that these experts work on a voluntary basis, do not receive UN salaries, and maintain their independence from governmental or organizational affiliations, serving strictly in their individual capacity.
Trafficking in persons, particularly involving women and children, remains a pressing global issue with profound human rights implications. The UN Special Procedures enable independent experts like the Special Rapporteur on trafficking to assess, monitor, and report on such critical issues within specific country contexts. Guinea-Bissau, with its complex socio-political landscape post-conflict, presents unique challenges related to trafficking. The forthcoming visit by Ms. Siobhán Mullally is poised to bring vital insights into the country’s existing frameworks and response mechanisms while ensuring that the rights and needs of victims are prioritized in national policies.
In conclusion, the upcoming visit of Special Rapporteur Siobhán Mullally to Guinea-Bissau underscores the international commitment to address trafficking in persons, particularly focusing on the vulnerabilities faced by women and children. Her engagement with various stakeholders is instrumental in fostering an effective response to trafficking and enhancing victim protection. As she prepares to present her findings to the UN Human Rights Council in 2025, the attention drawn to this critical issue may aid in formulating better protective measures and policy improvements in Guinea-Bissau and beyond.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
