A/HRC/45/8
United Nations
General Assembly
Distr.: General
4 August 2020
Original: English
Human Rights Council
Forty-fifth session
14 September–2 October 2020
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights,
including the right to development
Impact of the coronavirus disease pandemic on
contemporary forms of slavery and slavery-like practices
Report of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery,
including its causes and consequences*
Summary
Tomoya Obokata was appointed as Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of
slavery, including its causes and consequences, by the Human Rights Council in March
2020. He assumed his functions on 1 May 2020. The present report is his first report to the
Council.
The present report contains reflections on and analysis of the impact that
coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has had on contemporary forms of slavery and slaverylike practices, and recommendations on how various stakeholders could mitigate the impact
of the pandemic. It also contains an overview of the methods of work that the new Special
Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, including its causes and consequences,
intends to implement and promote during his tenure.
* Agreement was reached to publish the present report after the standard publication date owing to
circumstances beyond the submitter’s control.
GE.20-10405(E)