OHCHR and UN.GIFT opening eyes and breaking the silence in Geneva

12 June 2010.- Brave men and women came before the Human Rights Council to share their courage and survival. Kikka Cerpa, from Venezuela , told delegates of how she was forced into prostitution, by her former boyfriend. Kumar Ramjali, from Nepal remembered how his dreams of working abroad turned into a battlefield. They both were part of the panel event titled: "Giving Voice to the Victims and Survivors of Human Trafficking," organized by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Their inspiring stories brought hope to the discussions during a two day seminar on the human rights approach to anti-trafficking initiatives. Their voices broke the silence, while a photo exhibition at the Palais des Nations in Geneva opened eyes to domestic servitude.  OHCHR and UN.GIFT organized the photo exhibition "Esclavage Domestique", telling the stories of 19 victims of human trafficking and their way out of domestic slavery.

This exhibition, developed by the French non-governmental organization "Comité contre l'esclavage moderne", is used  to raise awareness about the issue of domestic servitude among international and diplomatic staff. The viewing in Geneva was also supported by the Permanent Missions of France, Austria and Switzerland to the United Nations.

 

For more information read the story: Survivors of human trafficking - breaking the silence