Violence against women: UN expert launches visit to Algeria

GENEVA (29 October 2010) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against women, its causes and consequences, Rashida Manjoo, will conduct an official visit to Algeria from 1 to 10 November 2010 at the invitation of the Government.

“During my visit, I intend to meet with national stakeholders involved in fighting all aspects related to violence against women, with a view to appreciate the phenomenon in Algeria. I will also seize the opportunity of this mission to review progress made since the visit of my predecessor in 2007*”, said the human rights expert, who will travel to Alger, Constantine, Oran and Hassi-Messaoud.

The Special Rapporteur will hold discussions with government authorities, civil society organizations, representatives of United Nations agencies and other international organizations based in Algeria, as well as individual victims of gender-based violence.

A press conference on the initial findings of the visit will be held in Alger on Wednesday 10 November. Further details on the time and venue of the press conference will be provided by the UN Office in Algiers.

Based on the information obtained during the visit, Ms. Manjoo will present a report with her final findings and recommendations to a forthcoming session of the Human Rights Council.

Ms. Rashida Manjoo (South Africa) was appointed Special Rapporteur on Violence against women, its causes and consequences in June 2009 by the UN Human Rights Council, for an initial period of three year. As Special Rapporteur, she is independent from any government or organization and serves in her individual capacity. .Ms. Manjoo is also a Professor at the Department of Public Law at the University of Cape Town.

(*): Check the 2007 report by the Special Rapporteur on violence against women: http://daccess-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G05/101/90/PDF/G0510190.pdf?OpenElement

For additional information on the mandate of the Special Rapporteur, please visit: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/women/rapporteur/index.htm

OHCHR Country Page – Algeria: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/MENARegion/Pages/DZIndex.aspx

For further details on the mission and media requests, please contact the United Nations Office in Algiers (Tel.: +213 21 92 01 0 1 / fax: +213 21 92 54 53)