Eric Rosenthal, Executive Director of Disability Rights International (DRI), discussed DRI findings on exploitation and trafficking from institutions, joined by UN Special Rapporteur on Disability and international activists. 

View Full Event Recording: UN Web TV - Live Broadcast

Following the event, he was interviewed by UN News' Anna O'Donnell. Listen to the interview

Event Program:

Opening Remarks:

• Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines

Moderator:

• Amanda McRae, Advocacy and Accountability Director at Women Enabled International

Speakers:

• Siobhán Mullally, Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children (pre-recorded statement)
• Heba Hagrass, Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities
• Aya Fujimura-Fanselow, Clinical Professor of Law and Supervising Attorney at Duke Law International Human Rights Clinic
• Eric Rosenthal, Founder and Executive Director of Disability Rights International
• Suamhirs Piraino-Guzman, Member of the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery

Closing Remarks:

• Mauricio Reza Bautista, Attaché for Security Council Affairs at the Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations

More Details:

The Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines will provide opening remarks. The Special Rapporteurs and the Duke Law International Human Rights Clinic will then present a joint briefing paper on the topic and current and ongoing work on trafficking and the rights of persons with disabilities. Next, a representative from Disability Rights International will provide a case study on advocacy efforts addressing trafficking and the rights of persons with disabilities. A Member of the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery will discuss measures to provide trauma-informed care and mental health services to trafficking victims with disabilities. Following this, a moderated Q&A session will take place. Finally, the Government of Mexico will deliver closing remarks, highlighting the importance of inclusive, coordinated, and human-rights-based responses.