UN RIGHTS EXPERT ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN TO VISIT SWEDEN

9 June 2006

Yakin Ertürk, the Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights on violence against women, its causes and consequences, will conduct a fact-finding mission to Sweden from 12 to 21 June 2006.

The Special Rapporteur has scheduled visits to Stockholm, Malmö and Luleå to gather first-hand information. A specific focus of the mission will be the occurrence of domestic violence, violence in minority communities and violence in the context of trafficking and prostitution. The Special Rapporteur will meet with representatives of the Government, non-governmental organizations, United Nations officials and victims and their relatives.

After the visit, Ms. Ertürk will present a report containing her findings and recommendations to the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Ms. Ertürk, Professor of Sociology at Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey, was appointed Special Rapporteur in 2003.