Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights

This publication sheds light on the often hidden experiences of irregular migrant domestic workers. It challenges governments to take appropriate protective measures. It emphasizes that migrant domestic workers in regular or irregular situations, many of whom are female, face many legal and practical obstacles to the enjoyment of their human rights. Those in irregular situations rarely have easy and effective access to services and benefits, including social security and health care. They also endure discrimination and abusive work conditions and are often

This document explores international laws against slavery and describes modern forms of slavery, including ones that affect the human rights of women and girls with regard to marriage. Forced labour, trafficking in women and children, prostitution, forced marriage, mail-order brides, and child servitude are among the forms of slavery explained that persist today. The authors stress that these practices are in fact slavery because they commodify women as possessions to be owned and controlled by others, thereby violating their human rights, including marriage rights.

This fact sheet traces the evolution of international humanitarian law (IHL). It outlines the present-day scope and meaning of IHL both for combatants and for civilians caught up in armed conflicts.