United Nations – Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons

Wayne Dean Doyle (WIT Media relations manager)

United Nations Headquarters, Monday 13^th May 2013

According to a Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, the most common form of human trafficking (79 percent) is sexual exploitation.

The victims of sexual exploitation are predominantly women and girls. Surprisingly, in 30 percent of the countries which provided information on the gender of traffickers, women make up the largest proportion of traffickers. In some parts of the world, women trafficking women is the norm.

A full detailed report carried out by the United Nations has revealed a bleak insight into direct violation’s of an individual’s human rights.

Based on data gathered from 155 countries, it offers the first global assessment of the scope of human trafficking and what is being done to fight it. It includes: an overview of trafficking patterns; legal steps taken in response; and country-specific information on reported cases of trafficking in persons, victims, and prosecutions, according to the report on human trafficking which exposes modern forms of slavery.

H.E. Mr. Vuk Jeremić , President of the General Assembly opened proceeding’s with some positive trends in relation to human trafficking, but also made reference to the sophistication of human traffickers, the violations of humans rights and  degradation associated with these inhumane crimes.

H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General, expressed concerns with the current situation, emphasising the need for each delegation attention to look at human trafficking at not only a global problem, but a national and local one.

“We need to implement global policies on which can protect and maintain these vulnerable individuals”, stated Ms. Alyse Nelson, President of Vital Voices Global Partnership.

“We have come a long way, from where we were 20 years ago but the effort needs to be far more supported and given attention by many more of us, the only way we can truly harness our power for change is to actively incorporate those at a local level who have been affected”, stated Ms Nelson.

Foreign Affairs Minister of Luxemburg, Jean Asselborn, reiterated many points stating, current numbers show more than 2.5 million victims of trafficking, women represent 60 percent of this group, and women are the most vulnerable human beings exploited by individuals who seek profits from this grotesque industry.

“Forced labour, bondage and of course sex trafficking effect all corners of the globe, every nation… we all have  an interest to protect and enforce legislation  to provide protection to those who most need it”, stated Mr. Asselborn.

Luxemburg ratified it human trafficking laws in 2012 which completed their legal framework to protect those most vulnerable.

The Territorial administration of Armenia stated that the “UN global plan of action was supported by Armenia in its initial stages; we are committed to the continued protection of persons affected by human trafficking. Armenia continues to improve legislation to reinforce the current laws and protective measures”.

The Finish Foreign Ministry stated, “The root causes need to be addressed, poverty and human rights issues are at the core of human trafficking”. Organised international crime is at the helm of any trafficking ring or organisation, showing the level of planning and organisation of what we are dealing with. Finland aligns itself with the European Union’s statement on the issue.

Member states continued to discuss the complexity od Human trafficking and boarder control with special attention given to the role of law enforcement, there are unusually the first on the scene and face to face with those affected. The UN convention on transnational organised crime remains the corner stone of all global action – 154 states have approved and are actively participating in the forming of legislation

NGO’s are instrumental in the continued reform of policies and legislation which limits the impact of human trafficking, their insight and grass roots knowledge is of paramount importance in tackling this global issue.

Then main theme of the first of this two day High-Level Meeting was simple, many governments are currently in the dark or in denial in terms of the extent of human trafficking in their country, or indeed their neighbouring countries. There is a very real threat of exploitation of the most vulnerable in our communities. We need to remain vigilant and pro active if this problem is to be addressed with clarity and any kind of lasting change.

 Many Foreign Delegations announced their support with additional funding from their respective governments.