Nane Annan impressed all those who met her during her visit to Mauritius with her husband. Involved in the fight against AIDS, the UN secretary general’s wife seized the opportunity to meet Malini, the first woman in Mauritius to unveil the fact she is HIV-positive. She was so moved by Malini’s story that she embraced her. She insisted on the importance of talking about the scourge because “silence means death.” Nane Annan also insisted on visiting the Ombudsperson’s office where she spent an hour with Shirin Aumeeruddy-Cziffra (R). She inquired about the situation concerning violence against children.

As the concept of the Ombudsperson comes from Scandinavian countries – she is Swedish – she felt concerned about the issue and wondered how such a small country could have an Ombudsperson’s office. Shirin Cziffra explained that it was not due to the fact that there was more violence in Mauritius than elsewhere. But “it has more to do with the fact that Mauritius is democratic.” The office of the Ombudsperson appears essential to ensure the respect of children’s rights.