Slavery still exists.  In countries all over the world, today in 2008, people are bought and sold and spend their whole lives as slaves.  Their children are born into slavery.  In our own country, the Thirteenth Amendment legally protects Americans from slavery but in other countries, despite legal measures, it remains a reality.

Niger is one such country.  Although officially outlawed, there are estimated to be 40-50,000 slaves across Niger.  The government does little to curb or punish what has become a cultural practice for some people groups.

This week, in a landmark case, a Nigerien ex-slave won a victory in the West African (ECOWAS) court.  The court ruled in favour of Hadijatou Mani deciding that the government of Niger had failed to protect her from slavery.  Hopefully this will set a legal precedent that will enable the tens of thousands of slaves across West Africa to pursue their freedom.

Here are two articles if you want to find out more about the case and about the issue of slavery in Niger.
Niger ex-slave wins landmark case
Niger slavery: Background