UN human rights expert to assess the situation of trafficking in persons in Jordan

Arabic

GENEVA (26 January 2016) – United Nations Special Rapporteur Maria Grazia Giammarinaro will carry out her first official visit to Jordan from 28 January to 4 February 2016 to assess the situation of trafficking of persons in the country, especially that of women, children, but also of men.

“I look forward to assessing the progress made and challenges Jordan faces in addressing trafficking in human beings through constructive exchanges with relevant authorities and key actors,” said the independent expert mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to promote the prevention of trafficking in persons in all its forms, and to encourage measures to uphold and protect the human rights of victims.

“During my eight-day visit, I wish to reach out to trafficked persons themselves, so that their voices are heard and can be considered in the Government’s responses to combatting human trafficking,” Ms. Giammarinaro stressed.

The Special Rapporteur, who visits the country at the invitation of the Government, will meet with representatives of various Government agencies, as well as the United Nations and members of civil society organizations working to fight against trafficking in persons in the country.

The expert will hold a press conference to share with the media preliminary observations from her visit at 12:00 pm on Thursday 4 February 2016 at Le Meridien Hotel Amman, Queen Nour St, Shmeisani, Amman, Jordan. Access to the press conference is strictly limited to journalists.

Findings from the country visit and recommendations will be included in an official report to be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2016.

Ms. Maria Grazia Giammarinaro (Italy) was appointed as Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children by the UN Human Rights Council in June 2014. Ms. Giammarinaro has been a Judge since 1991 and currently serves as a Pre-Trial Judge at the Criminal Court of Rome. She was the Special Representative and Co-ordinator for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings of the OSCE, and served in the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Justice, Freedom and Security in Brussels, where she was responsible for combating human trafficking and sexual exploitation of children. She drafted the EU Directive on preventing and combating trafficking in human beings and protecting its victims. Learn more, log on to: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Trafficking/Pages/TraffickingIndex.aspx 

The Special Rapporteurs are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.

UN Human Rights, Country Page – Jordan: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/MENARegion/Pages/JOIndex.aspx 

For more information and media requests, please contact Selma Vadala
During the visit: +41 79 752 0484/ svadala@ohchr.org
Before and after the visit: +41 22 917 9108 / svadala@ohchr.org / Nathalie Stadelmann +41 22 917 9104, srtrafficking@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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