The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, especially women and children, Dr Joy Ngozi Ezeilo paid a courtesy call on President James Michel this morning at State House. Dr Ezeilo is on an official visit in Seychelles to study the situation and formulate recommendations to prevent and combat trafficking in Seychelles.

President Michel said he welcomed the visit of the UN Rapporteur for Human Trafficking and that he looked forward to the recommendations from the mission.

"We are building a strong democratic society, we are open to the world to see what we are doing in our efforts to prevent human trafficking. We are committed to transparency and accountability and aim to strengthen our institutions. Seychelles is developing fast and we have many challenges but we are a society that respects human life and dignity," said President Michel during the meeting.

During their meeting, President Michel and Dr Ezeilo discussed some of the mechanism that are in place in Seychelles for fighting human trafficking, the state of human trafficking around the world, and possible measures that need to be put in place to combat human trafficking among other issues.

Speaking to the press after the meeting, Dr Ezeilo further stated that her visit is an opportunity for United Nations and Seychelles, as a member of the UN, to contribute to the global fight against human trafficking. She also commended President Michel for 'showing strong leadership' for combatting and preventing human trafficking.

The Rapporteur will meet Seychelles government officials, UN agencies, non-governmental agencies and civil society organizations, as well as other relevant stakeholders during her visit. She is expected to give her preliminary findings by Friday 31st January through a press conference. Later in June 2014, her observations and recommendations will be presented at the 26th session of the UN Human Rights Council.