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Timidria, an organisation that has spearheaded Niger's anti-slavery
movement, is being presented with the 2004 Anti-Slavery Award from
Anti-Slavery International, the world's oldest international human
rights organisation, on Wednesday 3 November at Chatham House
in London.
Internationally renowned Sierra Leonean filmmaker Sorious Samura
will make the presentation to Timidria's president Ilguilas Weila
in honour of Timidria's courageous work against slavery in Niger.
Slavery is an integral part of Niger society. Thousands of people
are born into a slave class and are forced to work without freedom
or pay throughout their lives.
The true scale of slavery across the country only became clear last
year, following Timidria's research -- the first national study
of slavery to be carried out. The organisation interviewed over
11,000 people, most of whom were identified as slaves, establishing
that at least 43,000 people are in slavery across the country.
Many of those interviewed were subjected to torture and other forms
of humiliating and degrading treatment, including rape, physical
abuse and threats.
Following the release of the report, the Government introduced
a law that defines, prohibits and punishes slavery. And as a direct
result of Timidria's action, over 200 people were freed by the end
of 2003. Despite this progress there is still much to do to ensure
the regulations are enforced and support is available for those
freed.
Slavery has been a taboo subject in Niger with supporters both
within the state apparatus and among traditional chiefs. Even other
human rights organisations in the country have been silent on it.
Ilguilas Weila and other Timidria staff have faced a continual struggle
in their work against slavery, including being threatened, intimidated
and attacked.
As a grassroots organisation with local branches throughout Niger,
Timidria provides food, shelter and the means for former slaves to
have some economic independence. It helps them integrate in communities
and provides income-generating activities as well as raises awareness.
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