World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

 

Brasilia, 25th of July 2016 - The Blue Heart campaign is run during this whole week by virtue of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons which is celebrated on 30 July. The initiative has been launched two years ago by UNODC and aims to raise awareness of this terrible crime and show solidarity with the victims.

The UNODC Executive Director, Yury Fedotov, has made a statement emphasizing the seriousness of trafficking in persons especially in regards to the current crisis of refugees and migrants.

" Criminals prey on people in need and without support, and they see migrants, especially children, as easy targets for exploitation, violence and abuse.

Armed conflicts and humanitarian crises expose those caught in the crossfire to increased risk of being trafficked for sexual exploitation, forced labor, organ removal, servitude and other forms of exploitation. 

While not all migrants are vulnerable to being trafficked, the forthcoming UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2016 identifies a clear pattern linking undocumented migration to trafficking in persons". 

The Executive Director reiterates the importance of taking action to combat trafficking in persons and calls upon governments to implement the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. 

" We clearly need to do more to stop human traffickers as part of coordinated and comprehensive responses to the refugee crisis and continuing migration challenges we are facing around the world. 

I call on governments to ratify and effectively implement the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocols on trafficking and migrant smuggling, to assist and protect victims and the rights of smuggled migrants, and promote the international cooperation needed to bring criminals to Justice. 

By strengthening action under the Protocols, we can reinforce protection for vulnerable children, women and men, and help promote the safety and dignity of refugees and migrants at all stages of their journey." 

Fedotov also recalls the donations that can be made to the  United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons. 

" The Trust Fund is financed solely through your donations. The Fund works with NGO partners across the globe to assist trafficking victims, providing shelter and vocational training and schooling, as well as access to health, psychosocial, legal and economic services." 

Finally, the Executive Director of UNODC encourages everyone to be aware of the trafficking in persons crime and to show solidarity to the victims. 

" Finally, I encourage everyone - voters and community leaders, business owners and employees, teachers and students, consumers and tourists - to educate themselves and the people around them, and help raise awareness of this terrible crime. 

On this United Nations World Day against Trafficking in Persons, let us pledge to work together to give victims, as well as the many children, women and men on the move who remain far too vulnerable to trafficking, as much-needed voice and a helping hand."

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