UN rights expert urges Kazakhstan to step up its fight against all forms of slavery -- DisplayNews

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UN rights expert urges Kazakhstan to step up its fight against all forms of slavery

 ASTANA
(27 March 2014) – The United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary
forms of slavery, Ms. Gulnara Shahinian, on Thursday called on the
Government of Kazakhstan to intensify its fight against all forms of
slavery in the country in all fronts.


Ms. Shahinian’s call comes at the end of a follow-up official visit
to Kazakhstan to assess new developments since her first country visit
in 2012 and the initiatives taken by the Government in response to her
recommendations*.


The expert commended the authorities for the swift action in response
to some of her recommendations and its continuous cooperation since the
first visit, but urged them “to urgently put in place enforcement and
monitoring mechanisms to fully implement the new laws and policies
towards eliminating all forms of slavery in the country.”


“This follow-up visit provided me with a real opportunity to
accompany the Government in its fight against slavery,” said the
independent expert designated by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor,
report and advise on contemporary forms of slavery, its causes and
consequences in the world.


The Special Rapporteur welcomed the amendments to the legislation on
migration, noting that “the complex and lengthy process of issuance of
work permits significantly constrained the opportunities for legal
employment and hence increased the vulnerability of migrants. Its
simplification is an important step forward and will allow for the
legalization of migrant workers.”


She noted that, among other reforms, children of migrant workers
employed in accordance with migration laws are allowed to attend schools
– with same rights – as all other children. “I was also very pleased to
learn that the amendments are intended at eliminating gaps in the labor
legislation in line with the rights-based approach, in particular
regarding the status of migrant workers and their children,” the
independent expert said.