The United Kingdom officially joined the Blue Heart Campaign after its Border Force launched a series of awareness-raising activities to mark World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2024. These activities took place at airports across the UK, as well as abroad, in Romania and Pakistan.
The United Kingdom signed the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons in December 2000 and ratified it in February 2006. Since then, the UK has played a significant role in global efforts to combat human trafficking, recognizing the importance of public awareness in preventing this crime and supporting victims.
To mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on 30 July 2024, the United Kingdom Border Force launched a series of public awareness activities across the United Kingdom, Romania and Pakistan. These efforts aimed to raise awareness of the dangers of human trafficking and highlight the critical role of public support in protecting vulnerable individuals.
As the frontline defence against exploitation, the United Kingdom Border Force, operating at over 140 ports of entry and departure across the country, understands the importance of public awareness in its mission to combat human trafficking. The awareness campaign included eye-catching banners, informative literature with QR codes, children’s colouring sheets, and blue stickers and armbands displaying the #EndHumanTrafficking hashtag. Additionally, by collaborating with border control authorities in Romania and Pakistan, the United Kingdom Border Force amplified its outreach, fostering stronger community involvement, which is vital in the ongoing fight to protect those at risk.
In 2023, Nigeria officially joined the Blue Heart Campaign against human trafficking at an event marking World Day against Trafficking in Persons. This occasion, and the 20th anniversary of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) provided a welcome opportunity to reintroduce the Blue Heart symbol as part of Nigeria’s efforts to combat human trafficking.
The country has already collaborated successfully with UNODC on the 'I am priceless' campaign against human trafficking, which featured the Blue Heart branding in 2011.
At an event to mark World Day against Trafficking in Persons, Chad officially announced its support for the Blue Heart Campaign against human trafficking.
Chad plays a significant role as a source, destination, and transit country for victims of human trafficking. Many young people risk their lives on irregular migration routes, making them vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation.
COPA Airlines is dedicated to being a knowledge facilitator of the prevention of human trafficking across its 81 destinations in 32 countries. To reaffirm this commitment, COPA Airlines, in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Security of Panama, has become a supporter of the Blue Heart Campaign against trafficking in persons.
As part of their awareness-raising activities, the airline decorated five Boeing 737-800 aircraft with Blue Heart Campaign stickers. Recognizing the significance of education in preventing human trafficking, the airline is also disseminating information about the campaign through their in-flight magazine, Panorama de las Américas, to inform travellers about the risks of human trafficking.
Alexis Bethancourt Yau, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons, and Former Panamanian Minister of Public Security played a pivotal role in revitalizing the partnership between the Blue Heart Campaign and COPA Airlines. More
On 18 October 2023, Martin Královič, the State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic and National Coordinator for Fighting Trafficking in Persons, announced Slovakia’s partnership in the Blue Heart Campaign during a press conference. This momentous occasion was marked by the illumination of the presidential palace and the launch of a nationwide awareness campaign in collaboration with CINEMAX.
Slovakia became the 37th supporting country of the Blue Heart Campaign to raise awareness of the grave issue of human trafficking and its profound impact on individuals and society.
The Slovak Republic is dedicated to combating human trafficking as a source, transit and a destination country for trafficking in persons, especially for sex trafficking and forced labour. The Slovak Republic has undertaken critical measures, from supporting refugees to fostering international cooperation. Joining the Blue Heart Campaign is yet another testament to their commitment. Tweets and more.
To mark World Day against Trafficking in Persons, Burkina Faso organized a panel discussion in Ouagadougou with the title "Repression of Trafficking in Burkina Faso: Current Situation and Perspectives.” The event served as the official launch of the Blue Heart Campaign against trafficking in persons in the country and also aimed at mobilizing stakeholders in the fight against human trafficking.
The panel discussion also highlighted the challenges of the ongoing security crisis in the country with a profound impact on vulnerable populations. Read more.
At an event in Bamako to mark World Day against Trafficking in Persons Mali’s Minister of Justice and Human Rights Mamoudou Kassogue officially announced the country’s commitment to join the Blue Heart Campaign against human trafficking.
The event was organized by UNODC, together with the National Coordination Committee for the Fight against Trafficking in Persons and Assimilated Practices (National Comité National de lutte contre la traite des personnes et pratiques assimilées (CNLTP/PA). Read more.
t an event to mark World Day against Trafficking in Persons, the National Agency against Trafficking in Persons (NAATIP) of The Gambia announced its commitment to join the Blue Heart Campaign.
The Executive Director of NAATIP, Isatou Dabo, emphasized the agency's commitment to supporting the rehabilitation of human trafficking survivors. Ms. Dabo also pledged to serve as a consistent voice, advocate, and ally in the quest for justice. Read more.
In commemoration of the World Day Against Trafficking 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic held the event “Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind: more protection, fewer victims”. The event featured a keynote address by UNODC, highlighting the significance of this year's theme, global trafficking trends and potential measures governments and stakeholders could put in place to leave no one behind. In a demonstration of the nation's commitment, Roberto Alvarez, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, took the stage with a compelling keynote speech, stating that the theme “is an urgent call to action to confront this terrible form of violence that impacts millions of human beings worldwide.” He further underscored the nation's dedication to combating human trafficking and ensuring the protection and empowerment of every individual affected by this grave issue. Tweets and more.
"There is nothing more important than human dignity", said Mody Ndiaye, President of the "Cellule nationale de lutte contre la traite des personnes (CNLTP)" the national unit to combat human trafficking in a public interview, declaring Senegal’s commitment to the Blue Heart Campaign against trafficking in persons.
To officially launch the Blue Heart Campaign in Senegal, several activities took place, including a kick-off panel discussion marking World Day against Trafficking in Persons on July 27, 2023. Read more.
The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons was commemorated with a family recreational event called "As a family, we protect ourselves from human trafficking" on Morazán Boulevard in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The purpose of this recreation day was to raise awareness of human trafficking and to promote prevention, reporting, and addressing of this global phenomenon.
The day kicked off with an energetic Zumba class taught by members of the Municipal Mayor's Office of the Central District, followed by a performance of the folk dance group of the cadets from the National Police Academy (ANAPO). The group Uniendo Voces de Honduras stood out with a captivating singing and dancing performance and a group of boys and girls showcased their cycling skills.
At an event to mark the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons in July 2023, Niger’s National Agency for the Fight against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (ANLTP/TIM) announced its commitment to join the Blue Heart Campaign against human trafficking.
At an event at the Town Hall of the University of Tahoua, speakers underscored the significance of collective action in the fight against human trafficking and its far-reaching consequences on society. The event also served as the launch of Niger’s national anti-trafficking campaign. Read more.
Commemorating World Day against Trafficking in Persons 2023 in Panama, UNODC, in coordination with the Crime Stoppers Organization and the Museo de la Libertad, and with the support of the Ministry of Public Security and the Public Ministry, opened the exhibition "For Sale or for Rent," taking visitors on a journey through the reality of human trafficking and the risks of exploitation. The exhibition is open to the public at the Museo de la Libertad until September. In solidarity with the Global Campaign, the Museum building is illuminated in blue throughout July. Tweets and more.
The Government of Guatemala, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Secretariat against Sexual Violence, Exploitation, and Trafficking in Persons (SVET), has announced the relaunch of the Blue Heart Campaign. This campaign serves as a powerful reminder to prioritize efforts to combat human trafficking and ensure that no one is left behind. The relaunch of the Blue Heart Campaign holds significant importance not just for Guatemala but also for the entire region. The government is firmly committed to implementing effective measures to tackle the crime of trafficking. They urge all sectors of Guatemalan society to actively participate in the Blue Heart Campaign, uniting as one voice against human trafficking. Tweets and more.
Peru's 2023 anti-trafficking campaign carries the slogan "No to Trafficking! We Are People, Not Commodities." The Ministry of Interior in Peru, specifically through the General Directorate of Democratic Security, has been a longstanding supporter of the Blue Heart campaign. Collaborating with UNODC, ILO, and IOM in the country, they aim to enhance their shared commitment to prevent human trafficking, prosecute and punish traffickers, and provide care and reintegration support for victims. As part of the campaign launch, Blue Heart pins were distributed to raise awareness and rally support in the fight against this abhorrent crime. More
For the third consecutive year, Malta participated in the Blue Heart Campaign on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Malta broadens its commitments in the fight against human trafficking while continuing to collaborate with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Find out more about Malta’s activities to raise awareness of human trafficking around the 2022 World Day and stop trafficking
Press release (PDF)
The Blue Heart Campaign: #AQUIESTOY (I#HereIAm) against human trafficking aims to raise public awareness of human trafficking and to promote a 1-800 number to report suspected trafficking cases.
Visit: www.unodc.org/aqui-estoy
Collection: Blue Heart Campaign: #AQUIESTOY against human trafficking (flickr.com)
17 May 2022 - The virtual event co-organized by France and Sweden, dedicated supporters of the Blue Heart Campaign, and UNODC focused on presenting concrete actions taken by States, NGOs and the aviation sector to combat human trafficking. A new UNODC report on human trafficking in Southeastern Europe was introduced. The event took place on the sidelines of the 31th session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ).
Find out more in the attached report provided by France and Sweden.
