Summary

The present report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences, Tomoya Obokata, is submitted pursuant to Human Rights Council resolution 51/15. 

The Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences, visited Côte d’Ivoire from 6 to 17 November 2023. Following an analysis of the normative framework and the existing institutional architecture to combat contemporary forms of slavery, the Special Rapporteur examined instances of labour exploitation that may amount to forced or bonded labour in various sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, including the cocoa sector, artisanal mining and domestic work. The Special Rapporteur also assessed to what extent child labour is prevalent in the country and what steps have been taken by the Government, businesses and other stakeholders to eliminate those practices. The Special Rapporteur acknowledges the progress achieved, for example, in preventing and addressing child labour in the cocoa sector, while highlighting persisting challenges in eliminating all contemporary forms of slavery in the country. The report concludes with recommendations to assist the Government and other stakeholders in addressing remaining gaps identified.