UN Urges Global Support Against Trafficking

The United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC), has called on countries to join hands to overcome transnational threat of trafficking by supporting and protecting victims.
UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, said this in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday stressing that there was need to pursue and prosecute those who engage in trafficking in persons.
Signed by  the National Project Officer, UNODC,Mr. Sylvester Atere the statement said that Ban insisted that the criminals must not be allowed to engage in such heinous acts.
“As the world marks Day Against Trafficking in Persons, let us resolve to act as one in the name of justice and dignity for all to checkmate the activities of traffickers.’’
He said that a situations where, criminals around the world sell people for profit was unacceptable, adding that vulnerable women and girls form the majority of human trafficking victims.
He said that the traffickers also include driving girls into degrading sexual exploitation, while calling on countries to rally against such illicit trade.
“Trafficked persons are often tricked into servitude with the false promise of a well-paid job, migrants crossing deadly seas and burning deserts to escape conflict, poverty and persecution are also at risk of being trafficked.
“Individuals can find themselves alone in a foreign land where they have been stripped of their passports, forced into debt and exploited for labour. ‘’
“Children and young people can find their lives stolen, their education blocked and their dreams dashed.’’
Atere described this as an assault on their most basic human rights and fundamental freedoms.
He said that criminal trafficking networks thrived in countries where the rule of law was weak and international cooperation was difficult.
“I call on all countries to fight money laundering and sign and ratify the UN Conventions against corruption and transnational organised crime, including the latter’s human trafficking protocol.
“We must also provide meaningful assistance to those in need, including protection and access to justice and remedies,’’ he said.
He lauded donors who enabled the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons Fund to assist thousands of people across the countries.
He, however, called for greater contributions to help the other victims of trafficking crime move forward with their lives.
“Every country must join together to overcome this transnational threat by supporting and protecting victims while pursuing and prosecuting the criminals.