GENEVA (29 April 2022) – The UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, Tomoya Obokata, will conduct an official visit to Mauritania from 4 to 13 May 2022. During the mission, the UN expert will examine questions relating to the persistence of descent-based slavery, as well as the social, economic and political situation of formerly enslaved people and those originating from slave castes. This will include evaluating measures to support their social and economic integration, and the legal system for formerly and currently enslaved people to seek justice. He will also investigate the existence of other forced labour practices, servile forms of marriage, and the worst forms of child labour. The Sustainable Development Goals require States to: “Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.” “By becoming a “Pathfinder” country under Alliance 8.7, Mauritania committed to accelerated action in this regard and I wish to assess what progress has been achieved in ending slavery in the country, what the remaining challenges are and what else is needed to end slavery in Mauritania once and for all,” Obokata said. The Special Rapporteur will travel to Nouakchott and Nouadhibou, and will meet government officials, civil society groups, traditional and religious leaders, representatives of the UN system, international organisations and members of the diplomatic community. Obokata will share his preliminary observations at a news conference on 13 May at the Monotel Hotel Dar el Barka, Zone des Ambassades, Nouakchott BP - 1366 at 10 A.M local time. The Special Rapporteur will present a comprehensive report to the Human Rights Council in September 2023. ENDS