La Strada Documentation Center

Domestic Workers in Diplomats' Households Rights Violations and Access to Justice in the Context of Diplomatic Immunity

Document number
2862
Date
2011
Title
Domestic Workers in Diplomats' Households Rights Violations and Access to Justice in the Context of Diplomatic Immunity
Author/publisher
Angelika Kartusch
Availability
View/save PDF version of this document
Document type(s)
Research/Study/Analysis,
Keywords
Human trafficking, Slave Labour, Sexual Exploitation, Begging, Slavery, Servitude, Forced Labour, Removal of organs, Debt bondage, Trafficking forms, Smuggling, Labour exploitation, Domestic labour, Slavery-like practices; Agricultural labour;
Summary
The main geographic focus of the research has been on the following six countries: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. In addition, select developments from Ireland and the Netherlands are also reflected.  The study addresses rights violations experienced by private migrant domestic workers working for diplomats and the barriers they face in seeking justice against their employers, given the latters' diplomatic immunity. Based on interviews with representatives of Foreign Ministries, NGOs and one specialized mediation mechanism as well as lawyers, the study analyzes legal and institutional responses on the part of host states to prevent and respond to rights violations, and the practical application of these measures vis-à-vis bearers of diplomatic immunity. It reviews the potential and barriers inherent to legal proceedings and out-of court negotiations as channels for domestic workers to claim their rights. The paper also showcases NGO efforts to use the international and European human rights system to support domestic workers in accessing justice, at both, the individual and the policy level.
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