“World Day Against Trafficking in Persons”

Distinguished Delegates
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is my pleasure today to represent the Acting Director-General, Mr. Michael Møller, who very much regrets that he cannot be with you and has asked me to deliver a message in support of the fight against trafficking in persons:

“Human traffickers ruthlessly exploit women, men and children. With deep callousness and calculation, they profit from the misery of others, violating their human rights and their dignity. And all too often our responses are not sufficiently robust in the face of this evil.

It is hard to imagine that such inhumanity exists in our world. Yet, every country of the international community is touched by the crime of human trafficking, and we are all concerned as fellow human beings. Our collective challenge is to target the criminals who exploit the desperation of others, and to protect and assist the victims who endure unimaginable hardships in their quest for a better life. The emphasis at today’s event on the dignity of victims and on the need for increased coordination to ensure better protection and rehabilitation is very welcome, and the IOM’s contribution to this effort is appreciated.

We need to maintain a particular focus on the plight of women and girls who together make up 75% of all victims. Even if able to escape their traffickers, they are affected by stigma and exclusion, often unable to seek the support they need. The United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking, of which Ms. Pillay spoke earlier, is one of the avenues for support and I take this opportunity to encourage all to contribute.

The General Assembly’s 2010 Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons provides an important political framework for the international community’s efforts, based on the four “Ps” of prevention, prosecution of offenders, protection of victims and partnership in action. While recognizing the strides already made in our fight against human trafficking, much work remains to be done. Conviction rates remain low and laundered money enables criminal networks to continue.

We must not lose sight of the fact that human trafficking takes place in a wider context of lack of respect for human rights that exacerbates vulnerability. If we are to be effective against trafficking in persons, we will need to reinforce efforts more broadly to promote human rights and development, by reducing poverty, empowering women and girls, fighting discrimination and building peaceful, stable and inclusive societies, based on the rule of law.

The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons now serves as a platform for awareness-raising. I welcome the initiative to mark the first World Day here in Geneva, and I commend the commitment of the Permanent Mission of Belarus and the cross-regional Group of Friends United Against Human Trafficking to highlighting our collective responsibility to confront this scourge.

It is my hope that today’s panel discussion will bring to the fore the experience and expertise of the wider International Geneva community to strengthen our common response.”

That was the end of the Acting Director-General’s message.

I join him in wishing you a fruitful discussion on this critical challenge.

Thank you very much.