MINSK, 30 July (BelTA) - A group of activists united in the fight against human trafficking has issued a statement marking World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, BelTA learned from the the Permanent Mission of Belarus to International Organizations in Vienna.
The joint statement titled as "Human Trafficking is Organized Crime. It's Time to End Exploitation” was adopted by Belarus, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Egypt, Eritrea, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Libya, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Venezuela.
"The international community faces a grave challenge - the rapid escalation of human trafficking. The latest Global Report on Trafficking in Persons by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reveals an increase in detected cases, with women and girls still constituting the majority of victims, while the number of affected children continues to rise. Particularly alarming is the growth of trafficking for forced labor: for the first time, the proportion of such victims has surpassed those subjected to sexual exploitation," states the declaration.
"Digital technologies have emerged as a key driver of human trafficking. 'The trafficking of persons for forced criminal activities, including through online fraud schemes, demonstrates how organized crime is transitioning to new business models where the internet plays a pivotal role in criminal operations,” the document emphasizes. 'Reversing these negative trends requires intensified and expedited measures at both national and international levels.”
“This year's theme for the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons underscores the vital role of law enforcement and criminal justice systems in dismantling human trafficking networks,” diplomats emphasized. “We recognize that significant progress in combating this crime can only be achieved through joint, coordinated efforts by multiple states based on international treaties and conventions. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children - a cornerstone of the international legal framework against human trafficking. Guided by principles enshrined in the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocol, we stress the need to strengthen global coordination and cooperation while ensuring effective implementation of existing international instruments.”
The declaration also expresses support for the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in its diverse activities, particularly as coordinator of the Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT). This includes assisting states in implementing the Palermo Protocol, enhancing counter-trafficking measures, and sharing best practices.
Success in combating human trafficking further depends on effective implementation of other international instruments, including the UN Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons. “Fifteen years since its adoption, we reaffirm our collective commitment to its comprehensive implementation through coordinated international and national efforts. We call on UNODC and ICAT participants to ensure the Plan's full realization,” the statement runs.
The joint statement titled as "Human Trafficking is Organized Crime. It's Time to End Exploitation” was adopted by Belarus, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Egypt, Eritrea, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Libya, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, and Venezuela.
"The international community faces a grave challenge - the rapid escalation of human trafficking. The latest Global Report on Trafficking in Persons by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reveals an increase in detected cases, with women and girls still constituting the majority of victims, while the number of affected children continues to rise. Particularly alarming is the growth of trafficking for forced labor: for the first time, the proportion of such victims has surpassed those subjected to sexual exploitation," states the declaration.
"Digital technologies have emerged as a key driver of human trafficking. 'The trafficking of persons for forced criminal activities, including through online fraud schemes, demonstrates how organized crime is transitioning to new business models where the internet plays a pivotal role in criminal operations,” the document emphasizes. 'Reversing these negative trends requires intensified and expedited measures at both national and international levels.”
“This year's theme for the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons underscores the vital role of law enforcement and criminal justice systems in dismantling human trafficking networks,” diplomats emphasized. “We recognize that significant progress in combating this crime can only be achieved through joint, coordinated efforts by multiple states based on international treaties and conventions. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children - a cornerstone of the international legal framework against human trafficking. Guided by principles enshrined in the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocol, we stress the need to strengthen global coordination and cooperation while ensuring effective implementation of existing international instruments.”
The declaration also expresses support for the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in its diverse activities, particularly as coordinator of the Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT). This includes assisting states in implementing the Palermo Protocol, enhancing counter-trafficking measures, and sharing best practices.
Success in combating human trafficking further depends on effective implementation of other international instruments, including the UN Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons. “Fifteen years since its adoption, we reaffirm our collective commitment to its comprehensive implementation through coordinated international and national efforts. We call on UNODC and ICAT participants to ensure the Plan's full realization,” the statement runs.
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