UN Urges World To Tackle Human Trafficking


GENEVA: As it marked the first ever World Day against Trafficking in Persons, the UN has called for an end to human trafficking, urging all countries to ratify and fully implement the relevant international convention and protocol.

The world body Wednesday also appealed to everyone to open their eyes to the crime of human trafficking and their hearts to the victims and support efforts to tackle the root causes.

"Human trafficking is a callous global industry that denies victims their rights and dignity and generates billions of dollars for organised criminal networks," said UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his message on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

"Most of those trafficked are vulnerable women and children, deceived into a life of suffering. They are exploited for sex and forced to work in conditions akin to slavery," he said.

"I urge all countries to ratify and fully implement the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and its Protocol on Trafficking in Persons."

The UN's call comes four years after the UN General Assembly adopted a Global Action Plan to combat the crime with a focus on preventing trafficking, prosecuting offenders and protecting victims. This plan calls on states to set up national programmes that implement these measures.

"This first World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is a call to action to end this crime and give hope to the victims, who often live unrecognised among us. To stop the traffickers, we must sever funding pipelines and seize assets," added Ban.

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Source: IANS