Building A World Where No One Can Be Bought, Sold Or Exploited: Guterres

News Desk

United Nations: Over 50 percent of cases of human trafficking are brought forward by victims or their families, with authorities struggling to detect and protect trafficking victims, which is a concerning new trend compared to previous years, according to a United Nations report.

According to the 2022 Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, published by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), women and girls, who account for around 60 percent of detected victims, are more likely to suffer sexual exploitation and higher levels of violence at the hands of their captors, while men and boys are being increasingly exploited for forced labour and criminal activities.

In his message for the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, observed on July 30, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that human trafficking is a heinous violation of fundamental human rights and freedoms.

Noting that global crises, conflicts and the climate emergency are escalating trafficking risks, Guterres has called for building “a world where no one can ever be bought, sold, or exploited”.

Human trafficking is a heinous violation of fundamental human rights and freedoms.

As we mark #EndHumanTrafficking Day, we must commit to building a world where no one can ever be bought, sold, or exploited. pic.twitter.com/viB6LsJGhp

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) July 30, 2023

Secretary General noted that traffickers continued to operate with impunity and that their crimes were not receiving nearly enough attention.

To hold criminals who treat people as commodities accountable, we must increase law enforcement and we must do more to assist survivors in rebuilding their lives, Antonio continued.

The campaign for the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2023, led by UNODC, aims to raise awareness of the current disturbing developments and trends, asking governments, law enforcement, public services, and civil society to strengthen prevention, identify and support victims, and end impunity.

Female victims of #HumanTrafficking are 3⃣ times more likely to suffer violent forms of the crime.

It's time to end violence against women!

🔁 💙 if you agree! pic.twitter.com/rIQxJX9CIm

— UNODC Human Trafficking (@UNODC_HTMSS) June 23, 2023

Millions of victims of human trafficking go unrecognised throughout the world, despite the fact that many of them may be seen every day on street corners, in factories, in public places, and on construction sites.

According to UNODC, this crime is so specialised that many victims are unable to ask for assistance. Victims are bound by the fictitious promises of traffickers because they have no legal standing in the country where they have arrived in pursuit of a better life.

UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly called for stepping up efforts to reach every trafficking victim, including by strengthening detection, investigating cases, and prosecuting the criminals involved. More action is also needed to identify, assist, and support survivors. This can be accomplished by combining the efforts of all societal sectors, including law enforcement, social services, and healthcare, she added.

The voice of civil society is essential in raising awareness, mobilising, and providing support to people in need, stated Ghada Waly, adding that the general public may assist by reporting suspicious activities and services that may exploit trafficking victims.