STILL SLAVERY IN WEST AFRICA

A woman who spent nearly half her life as a slave has won her legal battle with the authorities in Niger. The West-African nation must pay her more than 15,000 Euros in damages and has also been ordered to ensure that its citizens are better protected against slavery.

The verdict was handed down by the ECOWAS criminal court in Niger and is being seen as a major breakthrough in the fight against slavery. Official estimates put the number of people abused as slaves at 40,000 in Niger alone.

The case against Niger was brought by Hadijatou Mani, a young woman who was sold into slavery as a 12- year-old girl. Her owner paid as little as 300 Euros for her. Mani worked in her master's home and on his land for 10 years without receiving payment. She also suffered sexual abuse at the hands of her owner and bore him three children. read more (radionetherlands.nl)

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November 3, 2008