Historic verdict as Niger is convicted of failing to protect woman sold into slavery

Hadijatou Mani said: 'No woman should suffer the way I did'

The West African regional Court of Justice has convicted the state of Niger of failing to protect a 12-year-old girl from being sold into slavery, in what has been hailed as a victory for human rights.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Community Court of Justice said Niger had failed in its obligations to Hadijatou Mani, who was sold into slavery as a child in 1996 for about £300 and regularly beaten and sexually abused. Read more...

By Abdoulaye Massalatchi in Niamey
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
http://www.independent.co.uk