Former Slave Sues State of Niger
Last week a ground braking and historic story broke to international media, the story was Hadijatou Mani legal fight against the African state of Niger. Hadijatou Mani, a former slave who is suing the state of Niger in a landmark legal challenge, claiming that the country failed to protect her from being sold into a life of servitude and sexual slavery. At the age of 12, Hadijatou was sold into slavery for a mere $500.
Now 24, she brought her case to Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas). Hadijatou did not take the case to the Niger courts as she “believes she cannot get fair redress at any national court in Niger,” Romana Cacchioli, Africa coordinator of Anti-Slavery International, stated to The Associated Press.
“Despite the criminalization of slavery in 2003, the government of Niger is accused of not only failing to protect Hadijatou Mani from the practice of slavery, but also continuing to legitimize this practice through its customary law, which is discriminatory toward women and in direct conflict with its own criminal code and constitution,” Anti-Slavery International said in a statement.
If Mani’s case is a success it would create president for other slaves to seek retribution with similar claims, as it would then affect all of the 15 West African member states. Slavery is far from over, as there is an estimated 27 million slaves today, and their population is scattered across the globe leaving no nation free from this horrid crime against humanity. “This is a hugely significant case,” said Helen Duffy, legal director of Interights, a non-governmental organization based in London that is sponsoring Ms Mani’s case (Foreign Correspondent).
“I have not had a day off in my life, and I want the suffering of so many women to stop”, Mani stated.
After 10 years of enslavement Mani one can only hope that Mani will see the true value of her life and freedom, and that her fight will pave the way for millions of others across West Africa and the world.
April 17th, 2008 at 12:00 am
[…] If no one is listening, no one will talk. If one is to step forward and ask victims to come out then they must be willing to not only listen to their stories, but to provide them with care and support in both the short and long term, including providing physical and financial access to such services. Many are currently fixated on the trial of a Former Slave who is suing the State of Niger, which could set precedent for many other gender based violence and victims of slavery across Western Africa. Thus let up that rule of law is truly on its way to the women and girls across the developing world. […]