Contemporary forms of slavery: a UN expert in Madagascar

Mrs Shahinian, the first UN independent expert in contemporary forms of slavery, is currently in Madagascar for a ten-day investigation mission. The objective of her mission consists in assessing the different initiatives and measures taken by the local authority in the prevention of the worst forms of child labor in mining sites, in domestic labor and forced marriages, as reported by the African Press Agency APO.

In her own words, Mrs Shahinian stated: “I will collect information, organize round-table and make a report on the impacts of policies and programs adopted by Madagascar in the battle against contemporary forms of slavery. Then, I will include those compiled information in a report that I must submit to the UN human rights council in September 2013.” Responding to an official invitation of the government, Mrs Shahinian will visit some major localities of Madagascar, including Antananarivo, Antsirabe, Mampikony, Ihosy, Sakaraha, and Ambositra, in order to discuss directly with government officials, security agencies, NGOs, civil societies and other associations about the issue of non respect of human rights in the country.

The mission of this UN expert will confirm whether the fierce allegations recently made by the US State Department against the transition regime are true or not. Indeed, according to the report published lately by the US State Department, there is no respect of the fundamental human rights in Madagascar because of the allegedly existence of human trafficking, widespread child labor, and inexistence of freedom of expression and of the press.