UN Expert On Human Trafficking To Visit The Democratic Republic Of The Congo

GENEVA (11 July 2025) – UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, Siobhán Mullally, will conduct an official visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 15 to 25 July 2025.

The Special Rapporteur will examine the situation of child trafficking and trafficking in persons for purposes of sexual exploitation, labour exploitation, domestic servitude and forced criminality. She will also assess conflict-related risks, including trafficking as a form of sexual violence in conflict, forced labour, recruitment and use by armed groups and armed forces.

Mullally will begin and end her visit in Kinshasa, and travel to North Kivu and Haut-Katanga. She will meet with representatives of the Government, national human rights institution, United Nations agencies, civil society organisations, victims of trafficking and de facto authorities.

The expert will hold a press conference on Friday 25 July 2025 at 12:00 local time at UNDP Villa 89 Conference Room (Immeuble Losonia, Boulevard du 30 juin, B.P. 7248, Commune de la Gombe, Kinshasa). Access will be strictly limited to journalists.

The Special Rapporteur will present her full report to the Human Rights Council in June 2026.

Note:

Siobhán Mullally, Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children

The Special Rapporteurs, Independent Experts and Working Groups are part of what is known as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures, the largest body of independent experts in the UN Human Rights system, is the general name of the Council’s independent fact-finding and monitoring mechanisms that address either specific country situations or thematic issues in all parts of the world. Special Procedures’ experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. They are independent from any government or organization and serve in their individual capacity.

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