Press "Enter" to skip to content

International Law Observer

ECOWAS Ruling against Slavery

Although last year saw the marking of the bicentennial of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, slavery sadly remains a widespread problem in many countries. This week, however, the Community Court of Justice for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) found that the government of Niger did not do enough to protect the right of a woman who was, from the age of 12, forced to work for her “master” for ten years. The Court ruled that the woman, Hadijatou Mani, was entitled to restitution from the government ($19.750) due the government’s inaction in not enforcing Ms…