Mandate of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences
September 1, 2023 | UN Special Rapporteur Mr. Tomoya Obokata visited Max Bell School of Public Policy to examine issues of contemporary forms of slavery in Canada, including its causes and consequences. During the meeting organized by McConnell Visiting Scholar Olivia Smith, the Special Rapporteur met with federal, provincial, and municipal authorities, national human rights bodies, and victims of contemporary forms of slavery. He examined the legal, judicial, administrative, and de facto situations related to contemporary forms of slavery.
The Special Rapporteur is interested in examining issues related to draft legislation Bill S-204 (Xinjiang Manufactured Good Importation Prohibition Act) and regarding the implementation of the recently passed Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act. He is examining the impact of contemporary forms of slavery on vulnerable groups, including women, children, people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, and migrant refugees.
The Special Rapporteur will hold a press conference on his visit to share his preliminary findings, and a full report will be issued at the 57th session of the Human Rights Council in September 2024.
