UN rights expert on violence against women launches first mission to Honduras

GENEVA / TEGUCIGALPA (27 June 2014) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, Rashida Manjoo will undertake her first official country visit to Honduras from 1  to 8 July 2014  to investigate the issue of violence against women and girls.

“My visit will focus on the scope, the new patterns and the root causes and consequences of violence against women and girls,” Ms. Manjoo said, “I will pay particular attention to the strategies and programs established to prevent violence against women and girls and protect victims of these violations.”  

The Special Rapporteur, who visits the country at the invitation of the Government, will travel to Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula and La Ceiba, where she will meet with State authorities responsible for preventing and combating violence against women and girls. She will also meet with civil society representatives, and visit shelters and a prison.

“I look forward to engaging in a constructive dialogue with the Government and all relevant authorities in a collective effort to promote and protect the human rights of the victims,” Ms. Manjoo said.
 
The Special Rapporteur will share with the Government her preliminary observations on the promotion and protection of human rights of women and girls victims violence based on the information gathered during the visit. And in June 2015, she will present a report containing her findings and recommendations to the UN Human Rights Council.

At the end of her visit on Monday 7 July 2014 at 2 pm, Ms. Manjoo  will hold a press conference at the United Nations House in Tegucigalpa, Col. Palmira, República de Panamá Avenue.

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. As Special Rapporteur, she is independent from any government or organization and serves in her individual capacity. Ms. Manjoo is a Professor in the Department of Public Law of the University of Cape Town. For more information, visit: http://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-violence-against-women

UN Human Rights, Country Page – Honduras: http://www.ohchr.org/en/countries/honduras

For press inquiries and additional information, please contact:
In Tegucigalpa: Vincenzo Placco (+504 2220 1100 Ext 1221/vincenzo.placco@undp.org)
In Geneva: Mariannick Koffi (+41 22 9179257/ mkoffi@ohchr.org) or write to vaw@ohchr.org
 
For media inquiries related to other UN independent experts:
Xabier Celaya, UN Human Rights – Media Unit (+ 41 22 917 9383 / xcelaya@ohchr.org)  

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