The UN Human Rights Council addresses the scourge of modern slavery

The Human Rights Council this afternoon heard presentation of reports from the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, its causes and consequences; the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography; and the Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity. Interactive discussions were held with the experts on slavery and child pornography.

Gulnara Shahinian, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, its causes and consequences, said the magnitude and gravity of slavery today and its tendency to transcend into new forms showed that policies and actions to enhance human security and to promote human rights had been inadequate. All Member States should take all necessary steps to comply with the international legal standards and develop innovative integrated policies to address the scourge of modern slavery, which would create the foundation for ensuring the dignity of all people and the protection of rights for all.

That data estimated that 12.3 million people were affected by modern slavery, but that only 20 per cent of these were victims of trafficking and others were victims of other forms of human rights violations.