UN chief lauds global fight against human trafficking

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has lauded the global initiatives against the trafficking of human beings, saying the measures are helping liberate those who are exploited and bringing to justice perpetrators of the crime.

“This despicable crime is no longer being ignored,” Mr. Ban said in a video message to delegates attending the Luxor International Forum against Human Trafficking in Egypt on Saturday.

He noted that 141 States are party to the protocol on human trafficking to the UN Convention on Transnational Organized Crime, and that many countries have adopted strategies and legislation and established anti-trafficking police units.

“The private sector is increasingly recognizing its responsibility to prevent human trafficking from tainting their businesses and supply chains,” the Secretary-General added.

Mr. Ban also drew attention to the General Assembly’s launch this year of the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons and to the newly-created UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons.

“These steps are helping to liberate victims and to put traffickers behind bars. Victims of human trafficking are often lost in society’s shadows. Many, if not most, are never identified or assisted.

“To help them, we must continue to shine a spotlight on the issue,” Mr. Ban told participants at the meeting of government officials and business leaders that was organized by Egypt’s first lady, Suzanne Mubarak.