GENEVA (24 November 2023) – UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, Siobhán Mullally, will conduct an official visit to Central African Republic from 24 to 30 November 2023.

Mullally will examine how to strengthen human rights-based responses to human trafficking and ensure effective prevention and access to justice for victims and survivors. She will assess the risks of trafficking in post-conflict and conflict situations, with particular attention to the Women Peace and Security agenda, the gender dimension to trafficking, and child trafficking, including recruitment and use in armed conflict. She will also examine the human rights concerns relating to risks of trafficking during displacement, including internal displacement and protection needs of refugees, stateless persons and migrants.

During her visit, the expert will meet Government representatives, UN officials, law enforcement bodies, civil society organisations and survivors, and peacebuilding organisations. She will visit Bangui and Bria.

The Special Rapporteur will hold a press conference at 15:30 local time on Thursday 30 November at the Ledger Plaza Hotel, Avenue de l'Indépendance, Bangui. Access will be strictly limited to journalists.

Mullally will present her report to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2024.