MINSK, 26 July (BelTA) – Conflicts, terrorism, poverty and natural disasters contribute to the trafficking in human beings, Belarus' Permanent Representative to the international organizations in Vienna Valery Voronetsky said when speaking at a special event marking World Day Against Trafficking in Persons hosted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Valery Voronetsky noted that conflicts, terrorism, poverty and natural disasters do not only affect the magnitude of the problem and contribute to a growth in the number of victims, but also lead to the emergence of new forms of the crime, including, for example, illegal trade in human organs or trafficking for the removal of organs. This year the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice adopted a resolution initiated by Belarus, which requests the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to undertake a study of this problem,” the press service noted.
He drew attention of specialists to the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons which provides a more balanced approach to the problem by paying attention not only to the punishment for the crimes in question but also to the prevention and protection of victims. “This plan was adopted by the UN, with the active support of the Group of Friends united in the fight against trafficking in human beings coordinated by Belarus,” the press service noted.
The diplomat also noted the interrelation between the sustainable development agenda 2030 with the eradication of trafficking in persons and announced a special event in Vienna to discuss the issue during a meeting of the parties to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. The meeting is scheduled for October 2016.
The event was also addressed by UNODC Executive Director Yury Fedotov. Other speakers included the permanent representative of the United States, representatives from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the International Organization for Migration and the International Center for Migration Policy Development.
