A/HRC/27/53
the basis of observations from the numerous activities carried out in the performance of the
mandate, the Special Rapporteur highlighted the challenges that need to be addressed in
order to combat contemporary forms of slavery, gave an analysis of issues relating to
legislation, awareness-raising, discrimination and rehabilitation, and an overview of various
multi-stakeholder initiatives to combat contemporary forms of slavery. In the ensuing panel
discussion, participants reflected on the different challenges, effective practices and lessons
learned in combating slavery-like practices, from different perspectives. Drawing on the
Special Rapporteur’s remarks, a central point of the discussion related to good practices
that could be promoted by civil society organizations and governments in combating
slavery and slavery-like practices.
9.
From 25 to 27 September 2013, the previous Special Rapporteur participated, as a
key speaker, in a conference on the theme “Data protection and right to privacy for
marginalized groups: a new challenge in anti-trafficking policies” organized in Berlin by
DatACT (data protection in anti-trafficking action). The conference brought together
experts from the political sphere, academia and civil society to discuss issues relating to
data protection and privacy rights for marginalized groups. During a panel discussion on
“Data protection, human rights and anti-trafficking politics: a new challenge in the digital
age?”, the Special Rapporteur pointed out that data collection on slavery-like practices was
a challenge, particularly because of the social and economic invisibility of those in slavery.
She also highlighted the gender dimension of the phenomenon, as women and girls were
often denied their right to identity documents. Moreover, most victims of slavery were not
registered as part of the labour force and their contribution to the economy was invisible
because the work they did, such as domestic work, was not included in the labour laws of
some countries.
10.
On 19 and 20 November 2013, the Special Rapporteur participated in the
International Labour Organization Regional Tripartite Conference “Preventing forced
labour, human trafficking and slavery-like practices in Africa”, held in Lusaka. She spoke
on governments taking action against forced labour.
11.
On 3 and 4 March 2014, the previous Special Rapporteur participated in a two-day
international conference, “Enforcement of international human rights law through the
mechanism of UN special rapporteurs”, hosted in Bologna, Italy, by Johns Hopkins
University. The purpose of the conference was to examine the work of United Nations
special rapporteurs and analyse their impact on the implementation of international human
rights law in States. In her presentation, the Special Rapporteur addressed the issue of
constructive diplomacy and other methods developed to work with States.
12.
On 14 March 2014, the previous Special Rapporteur delivered a lecture at the
University of California, Berkeley, United States of America, entitled, “Modern-day
slavery – a reality close to home?”, which was sponsored by the Institute of Slavic, East
European and Eurasian Studies and the Armenian Studies Program, with the support of
Stanford Armenian Students Association and the International Justice Mission, Stanford
University. The Special Rapporteur elaborated on the clandestine nature of modern slavery
and explained that it often occurred in remote areas within States or in the “private realm”
in homes or in the community. She said that the victims often lived in secluded areas and in
fear of social, legal and financial consequences, such as stigmatization. She pointed out that
identifying, locating and accessing those victims and, at the same time, protecting data and
privacy rights, presented a major challenge. The Special Rapporteur also addressed the
need to adopt a human rights-based approach and employ existing legal and practical
instruments to help prevent human rights abuses.
13.
From 2 to 4 April 2014, the previous Special Rapporteur participated in the
International Juridical Conference on Contemporary Forms of Slavery, held at the
University of Granada, Spain, of which she gave the opening lecture. The conference
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