Submission to the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery
15 March 2021
The Commonwealth 8.7 Network and CHRI submitted a joint response to the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery’s call for inputs on the nexus between forced displacement and contemporary forms of slavery. The statement included input from 5 Network members representing Australia, Canada, Nigeria and Vanuatu. The response was published on the OHCHR website and will go on to inform the Special Rapporteur’s thematic report that will be presented at the 48th Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. The response addresses how the marginalisation and lack of protection afforded to displaced persons increases their vulnerability to contemporary forms of slavery. It also notes the employment challenges faced by displaced persons and how this increases their risk of exploitation. The response also highlights the heightened risk of displaced children and adolescents, particularly those who are unaccompanied.
Joint Submission on Human Trafficking, Forced Labour and Other Forms of Exploitation ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026
November 2026
The CHOGM 2026 statement centres on two themes: the relationship between climate change, including forced migration and displacement, and increased risk of exploitation, and the responsibility of governments and businesses to prevent forced labour in supply chains.
In this statement, we urge Commonwealth leaders to:
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Treat climate adaptation and resilience as a means of preventing human exploitation, integrating exploitation risk into national adaptation plans, climate commitments and disaster response.
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Move beyond disclosure-based reporting to mandatory human rights due diligence, requiring businesses to identify, prevent and remedy forced labour risks in their operations and supply chains.
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Ratify and implement the 2014 Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention and give full effect in national law to the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) and the Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105).