Violence against women: UN expert launches mission to the UK

Violence against women: UN expert launches first mission to the United Kingdom

GENEVA (28 March 2014) – United Nations Special Rapporteur Rashida Manjoo will visit the United Kingdom from 31 March to 15 April 2014 to study the main manifestations of violence perpetrated in the family and in the community, such as domestic and sexual violence, sexual bullying and harassment, forced and early marriages, and female genital mutilation.

“Violence against women continues to be one of the most pervasive human rights violations globally, affecting every country in the world,” Ms. Manjoo said, launching the first visit to the United Kingdom by an independent expert charged by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor violence against women, its causes and consequences.

“During my mission I will meet with individuals and organisations involved in fighting all aspects related to violence against women, its causes and consequences with a view to assessing the phenomenon in the country,” she said.

Ms. Manjoo will also look at violence that is perpetrated or condoned by State authorities, and violence encountered by women facing new vulnerabilities due to the increased influx of immigrant women, asylum seekers and refugees.

The human rights expert, who visits the country at the invitation of the Government, will visit London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, Cardiff and Bristol, where she will meet with government officials, and various human rights commissions.

She will also meet with representatives of civil society, including service providers. “Importantly, I will visit shelters to obtain first-hand information from individual survivors of gender-based violence,” Ms. Manjoo said.

The Special Rapporteur will share her preliminary findings at a press conference to be held on Tuesday 15 April.

Based on the information obtained during the mission, Ms. Manjoo will present a report with her final findings and recommendations to a forthcoming session of the Human Rights Council.

ENDS

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