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First mission to Samoa by a UN human rights expert group

Published: Thu 3 Aug 2017 06:21 PM
Discrimination against women: First mission ever to Samoa by a UN human rights expert group
APIA / GENEVA (3 August 2017) – A United Nations human rights expert group will carry out a fact-finding visit to Samoa from 8 to 18 August to assess the progress made towards eliminating discrimination against women and the protection and promotion of women’s rights in the country.
“We are particularly interested in legislative and policy reforms undertaken in recent years and the impact on the enjoyment of human rights of women in Samoa,” said human rights expert Kamala Chandrakirana, who currently heads UN Working Group on discrimination against women in law and in practice.
The visiting delegation, which also includes human rights expert Eleonora Zielinska, plans to visit Apia and villages in Upolu and Savai’i to gather first-hand information on issues related to discrimination against women in various contexts, including violence against women and girls.
“We will be looking at all aspects of women’s life: political and public, economic and social, family and cultural life, and health and safety. We are interested in achievements and good practices in eliminating discrimination against women as well as existing gaps and challenges,” Ms. Chandrakirana added.
The UN Working Group’s upcoming mission will be the first official visit ever to Samoa by independent experts designated by the UN Human Rights Council.
During its ten-day visit, the experts will meet with Government officials, representatives of State institutions and civil society organizations, academics, as well as individual women.
A press conference to share the delegation’s preliminarAy findings will be held on Friday 18 August at 12.00 at Taumeasina Island Resort Samoa. Access to the press conference is strictly limited to accredited media.
The Working Group will present a report on its visit to Samoa with its conclusions and recommendations to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2018.
ENDS

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