CHRI at HRC48: Oral Statement in the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery (Agenda Item 3)
17 September 2021, Geneva: CHRI made a video intervention in the Interactive Dialogue with Mr. Tomoya Obokata, the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences at the 48th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
The statement was based on CHRI's analysis of Mr. Obokata's latest report presented to the UNHRC on the nexus between displacement and contemporary forms of slavery.
In the statement, delivered by Ms. Laura Skadhauge Bloom, CHRI noted that while 73% of Commonwealth States do not have policies for asylum seekers to access basic support and protection, 58% do not have systems to register internally displaced persons.
Among other things, CHRI urged Member States to:
- urgently ratify international instruments that protect displaced persons and facilitate access to decent work and to ensure that this vulnerable group is protected from slavery both in legislation and in practice.
- prioritise international cooperation to fight climate change, support vulnerable Small States, and fund rebuilding projects in affected areas in recognition of the exacerbation of vulnerabilities due to natural disasters.
- establish and raise awareness of confidential and accessible complaint and referral systems, especially within displacement camps, especially understanding the specific vulnerabilities of displaced women and girls.
- heed to the Special Rapporteur's call to view displaced persons not as a burden, but as rights holders with the potential to actively contribute to the economy and allow them access to labour and social protections.
You can read the statement here and watch the video below: