Relatora Especial de la ONU sobre trata de personas visita Belice

Senior UN official to visit Belize on human trafficking mission

The United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights says Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, will pay a one week visit to Belize from Wednesday.

It said the purpose of the visit will be to “examine the situation of trafficking of women, men and children” and that it would be the first time that an independent expert of the UN Human Rights Council is visiting the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)-member state.

“During my visit to the Belize, I will study the situation in Belize, in order to make recommendations to prevent and fight trafficking, and protect its victims,” Ezeilo said.

The UN Human Rights Office said Ezeilo, who visits Belize at the invitation of the Government, will engage with State representatives, as well as members of international and civil society organizations working on the fight against trafficking in persons “in order to assess the challenges and opportunities in Belize”.

The UN Special Rapporteur is responsible for promoting the prevention of trafficking in persons in all its forms and to encourage measures to uphold and protect the human rights of victims.

“I look forward to this visit and the opportunity to engage with the Government and stakeholders on effective and sustainable ways to combat trafficking in persons,” Ezeilo said.

The UN Human Rights Council said she would present a comprehensive report containing her conclusions and recommendations in June 2014.

The Nigerian-born Ezeilo started her mandate as Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children in August 2008, the Council said, adding that the human rights lawyer and professor at the University of Nigeria., also served in various governmental capacities and consulted for various international organizations.

http://www.antiguaobserver.com/senior-un-official-to-visit-belize-on-human-trafficking-mission/