human rights councilThe U.S.-appointed experts also issued a general warning on the “continued violence of patriarchal power systems” revealed in the files, which the US Justice Department began releasing late last year.
The vast collection of documents, photos, flight logs and other items related to the investigation into the activities of deceased New York-based financier and child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has been the subject of significant legal and political debate in recent months in Washington DC and beyond.
transparent inquiry call
“We are deeply concerned by the credible allegations in the ‘Epstein files’ of the systemic trafficking of young women and girls For the purposes of sexual exploitation and Demand a full and transparent investigation“Both experts said in a statement.
The allegations involve senior politicians, public figures, diplomats, global business leaders and prominent academics, and describe widespread trafficking of girls and young women across multiple international borders over decades.
Siobhan Mullaly said, this situation highlights the discrimination and violence prevalent in patriarchal systems of power and the related failures of accountability. Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and childrenand five members of working group On discrimination against women and girls.
Experts emphasized that Trafficking in children and young women is a serious criminal offense and a grave violation of human rightsAnd he expressed deep concern at the “grossly inadequate” response by national governments and law enforcement officials.
culture of impunity
“Failure to ensure accountability perpetuates a culture of impunity that disproportionately harms women and girls and undermines the promise of equal protection under international human rights law,” the independent experts’ statement said.
Furthermore, trafficking of children for sexual exploitation destroys childhood and has devastating long-term consequences for victims.
They reminded Governments of their responsibility to prevent trafficking, protect victims, and ensure access to justice and effective remedies, including compensation.
support for victims
“Victims and survivors must be at the center of effective trauma-informed and gender-sensitive responses to trafficking in persons“The statement said.
“They must be guaranteed medical assistance, including reproductive and sexual health services, psychosocial support, and long-term social inclusion and recovery measures.”
Action ‘long pending’
With global attention to the case waning, experts called for concrete action, accountability and immediate measures to ensure access to justice, as well as reparations, guarantees of non-repetition, and transparency.
“States have an obligation to act, and this obligation is long overdue“He said.
All independently appointed experts receive their mandate from the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. They are not UN employees and do not get paid for their work.
