Child domestics often work under constant threat of physical or sexual abuse. In Guatemala, one-third of domestics interviewed by Human Rights Watch reported that they had suffered sexual harassment or abuse in their employer's household. Girls in Togo described being struck with blunt objects and electrical wire, or even being threatened with death.

Moreover, child domestics often have no opportunity to go to school, or are forced to drop out because of the demands of their jobs. In Togo, Human Rights Watch found that children are often trafficked by employers or intermediaries who promise education that never materializes. Indonesian girls who migrate to Malaysia to work as domestics are ...

Child domestics often work under constant threat of physical or sexual abuse. In Guatemala, one-third of domestics interviewed by Human Rights Watch reported that they had suffered sexual harassment or abuse in their employer's household. Girls in Togo described being struck with blunt objects and electrical wire, or even being threatened with death.

Moreover, child domestics often have no opportunity to go to school, or are forced to drop out because of the demands of their jobs. In Togo, Human Rights Watch found that children are often trafficked by employers or intermediaries who promise education that never materializes. Indonesian girls who migrate to Malaysia to work as domestics are often not allowed to leave the house where they are employed.

As well as depending on their employers for wages, child domestics often rely on them for basic shelter. Child domestics who eventually flee abuse may end up on the street.

In most countries, government labor codes exclude domestic labor from basic labor rights. Domestics are frequently denied a minimum wage, days off, or limits on the hours they work.
Jo Becker, advocacy director for Human Rights Watch's Children's Rights Division says, "Instead of turning a blind eye to the dangers of this kind of work, governments need to take steps to ban it."

"For too long, successive leaders in Guinea have stood back and done nothing in the face of ongoing and well-known human rights abuses," said Sharp. "The message being sent to security forces is that violence and indiscipline are acceptable, and that's a very dangerous thing."

Human Rights Watch also criticized the government of Guinea for its continuing failure to create adequate safeguards against child labor, child trafficking, and child abuse.There is no child protection system in place to ensure regular monitoring of the well-being of children, and if necessary, to facilitate their removal from abusive homes.

Web Site Address: http://www.hrw.org

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH

Human Rights Watch is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world.

We stand with victims and activists to prevent discrimination, to uphold political freedom, to protect people from inhumane conduct in wartime, and to bring offenders to justice.

We investigate and expose human rights violations and hold abusers accountable.

We challenge governments and those who hold power to end abusive practices and respect international human rights law.

We enlist the public and the international community to support the cause of human rights for all.

Human Rights Watch conducts regular, systematic investigations of hum...

Web Site Address: http://www.hrw.org

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH

Human Rights Watch is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world.

We stand with victims and activists to prevent discrimination, to uphold political freedom, to protect people from inhumane conduct in wartime, and to bring offenders to justice.

We investigate and expose human rights violations and hold abusers accountable.

We challenge governments and those who hold power to end abusive practices and respect international human rights law.

We enlist the public and the international community to support the cause of human rights for all.

Human Rights Watch conducts regular, systematic investigations of human rights abuses in some seventy countries around the world. Our reputation for timely, reliable disclosures has made us an essential source of information for those concerned with human rights. We address the human rights practices of governments of all political stripes, of all geopolitical alignments, and of all ethnic and religious persuasions. Human Rights Watch defends freedom of thought and expression, due process and equal protection of the law, and a vigorous civil society; we document and denounce murders, disappearances, torture, arbitrary imprisonment, discrimination, and other abuses of internationally recognized human rights. Our goal is to hold governments accountable if they transgress the rights of their people.

Human Rights Watch began in 1978 with the founding of its Europe and Central Asia division (then known as Helsinki Watch). Today, it also includes divisions covering Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Central Asia and the Middle East and North Africa. In addition, it includes three thematic divisions on arms, children's rights, and women's rights. It maintains offices in Berlin,Brussels,Geneva,London,Los Angeles,Moscow,New York,San Francisco,Tashkent,Toronto, and Washington. Human Rights Watch is an independent, nongovernmental organization, supporte