A/HRC/15/20* participated in a major conference on trafficking for the purpose of domestic servitude organized by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. 91. The work at the expert and regional levels has only led to limited recognition of the problems by intergovernmental United Nations bodies with a human rights or human rights-related mandate. The Commission on the Status of Women has called on member States to develop measures to prevent the labour and economic exploitation and sexual abuse of girls employed as domestic workers and ensure that they have access to education and vocational training, health services, food, shelter and recreation.48 The Programme of Action of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance urges States to pay special attention to protecting people engaged in domestic work (contained in A/CONF.189/12, para. 67). As part of the universal periodic review, a number of States have made recommendations to their peers to improve the protection of domestic workers.49 Such references to a serious, widespread and global human rights concern are far and between. There is nothing similar to the General Assembly’s Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (resolution 48/104), which opened another socially constructed “private sphere” filled with human rights violations to the persistent scrutiny of the international community. IV. Conclusions and recommendations 92. Although the victims are largely invisible, domestic servitude constitutes a global human rights concern. Every region in the world is affected. Domestic servitude takes many shape and forms, ranging from slavery as understood by the 1926 Slavery Convention to slavery-like practices, such as bonded domestic labour and child domestic labour. Millions of women and girls, pursuing the opportunities that domestic work provides, while providing a valuable contribution to society, are at risk because their rights, equal human dignity and autonomy are not adequately protected. 93. The criminalization of all forms of slavery and servitude, in line with States’ international obligations, is one aspect of an effective response. At the same time, the issue is embedded in the wider challenge to ensure that domestic workers are finally provided with equal protection of their labour rights. Combating domestic servitude and protecting domestic workers’ rights are two sides of the same coin. The Special Rapporteur recommends that States: • Adopt specific provisions to criminalize servitude in all its forms and manifestations, including bonded labour, child and forced marriages and other so-called “cultural” practices; prosecute and punish perpetrators with due diligence and ensure that victims can obtain reparation for material and immaterial loss from perpetrators. • Put in place effective and accessible information and complaints mechanisms for victims of domestic servitude, domestic workers and other community members (e.g. telephone hotlines with operators speaking relevant languages). Instruct immigration and other relevant authorities to refer cases of suspected 48 49 GE.10-15169 Welfare of the Child on Nigeria (2009); Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, report on the situation of human rights in Guatemala, OEA/Ser.L/V/II.111, doc. No. 21 rev. (2001), para. 32. Commission on the Status of Women, agreed conclusions on the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child, E/2007/27-E/CN.6/2007/9, at para. 14.6 (b). See e.g. reports of the Working Group on Universal Periodic Review on Malaysia (A/HRC/11/30); Saudi Arabia (A/HRC/11/23); United Arab Emirates (A/HRC/10/75); and Bahrain (A/HRC/8/19). 19