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Statement by the Geneva Group of Friends United against Human Trafficking on the occasion of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons

30.07.2015

Today we celebrate for the second time the World Day against Trafficking in Persons. Five years ago, on 30 July 2010 the United Nations General Assembly has adopted and launched the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons – a universally accepted document, which united all of us in our inspiration to strengthen and raise the effectiveness of the international efforts to curb the heinous crime of human trafficking. For the first time in the United Nation’s history, a mechanism was established which is capable of bringing together efforts of all stakeholders in a manner that would ensure a comprehensive and resolute response.

By adopting the Global Plan of Action, Member States resolved to improve coordination of efforts to strengthen the capacity of the United Nations, Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT) and to create the UN Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking. Since the adoption of the Global Plan the role of the UN, ICAT and the Fund in fighting trafficking and protection of its victims has become even more important.

We also recognize the role of the Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children in complementing national and international efforts in raising awareness of the situation of the victims of human trafficking and fostering protection of their rights within the mandate approved by the UN Human Rights Council.

However, we note with concern that human trafficking for sexual exploitation, exploitative labour and illegal removal of organs remains a serious challenge for the international community. Trafficking in persons is exacerbated by driving forces related to social and economic conditions, migration flows, conflicts and humanitarian crises.

We call upon all States, the United Nations system, international organizations, civil society and private sector to use this occasion to ensure an effective prevention and anti-trafficking response at the global, regional and national levels, to speak out loud and clear against human trafficking, to raise awareness of this crime and provide remedy and justice to thousands of victims and survivors fraudulently or violently removed from their homes and families and cast into modern forms of slavery.

We urge all States to fulfill their obligations under the relevant national and international legal instruments and to strengthen criminal justice response to trafficking in persons. We also reiterate that the issue of countering trafficking in persons should unite all states and other relevant actors in their efforts to address root causes of this phenomenon, and cannot be used as a tool for political pressure and manipulations.

The Group of Friends on its part will continue to constructively contribute to building inclusive international partnerships in effectively fighting human trafficking and promoting coordinated action at all levels.

 


 

Geneva Group of Friends United against Human Trafficking:

the Kingdom of Bahrain, the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, the Republic of Belarus, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, the Republic of Ecuador, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Republic of India, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Nicaragua, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Republic of the Philippines, the State of Qatar, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Singapore, the Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

 

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