Vienna, 20 November 2012 (UNODC) - On United Nations Universal Children's Day the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for the Victims of Human Trafficking issued the following statement:
"The date, 20th November marks the day on which both the Declaration on the Rights of the Child (1959), and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) were adopted by the General Assembly. In observance of the 23rd anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child of the United Nations, the trustees of the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking, in particular women and children, would like to call for a targeted and immediate response to the plight of millions of children around the world who are still denied their fundamental rights and are prevented from the enjoyment of a happy childhood. Remembering particularly at this time the young girls and boys who are subjected to the worst forms of child labour, suffer physical, psychological or sexual abuse - which include and are not limited to human trafficking, sexual exploitation and forced engagement in illicit activities.
"On this day, we would like to reiterate the importance of the Trust Fund, established in 2010, with the objective to provide humanitarian, legal and financial aid to victims of trafficking in persons through established channels of assistance, such as governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. Through its 2011 Small Grants Facility, the Fund awarded multi-year grants of up to US $ 25,000 per year to NGOs located in different parts of the world. Grass-roots organizations were provided with financial resources to take concrete actions in protecting children in vulnerable situations, placing children in safe environments, providing them with social services, health care, psychosocial support, and where appropriate assist their reintegration with family and community.
"The trustees express their appreciation to governments, private sector entities and individuals who have made generous financial contributions, shown their concern and will to support anti-trafficking initiatives. On this day, we call for continued and increased financial support for the Fund to perform its mandated tasks. Human trafficking, is a global crime which transcends national boundaries, therefore requires a global response and global solutions. The Trust Fund is a UN system-wide fund, and in such, we appeal to other UN Agencies, governments, the private sector and individuals to cooperate and support the Fund, to ensure that victims are afforded the assistance they require. To show your solidarity with victims of this abhorrent crime.
"It is evident that around the world, there is growing support to join the efforts to combat exploitative practices which target vulnerable children. Today, we wish to reiterate our continued commitment to advocate on behalf of victims of human trafficking, and to ensure that the Trust Fund continues to implement its very important mandated work."
For further information please contact:
Marian Salema
Co-financing and Partnership Section, UNODC
Telephone: (+43-1) 26060-4589
Email: marian.salema[at]unodc.org
