It's World Day against Trafficking in Persons. Have a Heart and Join Us in the Fight to End Human Trafficking!

Every country in the world is affected by human trafficking, whether as a country of origin, transit, or destination for victims. Children make up almost a third of all human trafficking victims worldwide, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's  Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2016.

This is why the theme for the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, which is celebrated every year on 30 July, is 'responding to the trafficking of children and young people'. On this occasion, Central Asian countries joined people around the globe in marking the day with activities aimed at promoting the integration of the rights and specific needs of children in the response to trafficking in persons.

"Children and their families are often lured by the promise of education, better employment or a more prosperous life", said Ashita Mittal, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Representative for Central Asia. "We need proper monitoring and tailored services to identify and protect victims".

In partnership with state authorities, international organizations and civil society throughout the Central Asian region, UNODC organized and supported various awareness raising initiatives to attract public attention to the plight of trafficking victims and the need to consistently enforce legislation to end this crime.

In Turkmenistan, the Institute for State, Law and Democracy under the President of Turkmenistan hosted an interactive lecture for students on the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Trafficking in Persons Protocol. UNODC held consultations with national counterparts from the Ministry of Interior and its Institute, the General Prosecutor's Office and the Parliament to present a newly released analytical report on Turkmenistan's national legislation to combat trafficking in persons . UNODC also gathered government counterparts and international partners to demonstrate a recently launched training film entitled "Victims not Villains" on the prosecution of cases of human trafficking in accordance with international standards.

In Kyrgyzstan, government, civil society and the international community came together to launch a campaign to inform the public on the risks of becoming a victim of trafficking. Under the slogan "Together against Trafficking in Persons" the campaign serves to disseminate information about available channels for information and support, such as a hotline for victims and a free mobile application, which provides people with useful links and contacts to ensure safe migration. In one of the main parks in the heart of Bishkek's city centre, an exhibition was also opened to the public. Entitled "In search of a better life", the exhibition features a series of art-installations, which highlight the scale of human trafficking and the plight of victims.

In Uzbekistan, the International Press Club (IPC) jointly with the UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia hosted a public debate dedicated to the World Day against Trafficking in Persons with high-level participation from the General Prosecutor's Office, the Ministry of Interior and the Agency for External Labor Migration under the Ministry of Employment and Labor Relations. They discussed the implementation of Uzbekistan's legislation to counter human trafficking and how the government and civil society can work together to prevent this crime and provide a protective environment for victims.

Following these initiatives to mark World Day against Trafficking in Persons, UNODC will continue to assist national authorities in their efforts to prevent human trafficking. After a media workshop for youth organizations and young leaders held in early July within the framework of the European Union funded Global Action against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (GLO.ACT), UNODC is supporting a summer camp for youth leaders from all regions of Kyrgyzstan under the auspices of the State Agency for Youth, Physical Education and Sports. During this summer camp, due to take place at Issyk Kul from 6-12 August, engaged youth will discuss a media plan for the implementation of a nationwide awareness raising campaign "100 Days Against Trafficking in Persons", which will be launched in September 2018. The "100 Days Against Trafficking in Persons" campaign will be implemented for the second year running as part of the Kyrgyz Republic's 2017-2020 Government Program to combat trafficking in persons.

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For additional information please contact  Vasilina Brazhko (Ms.),

National Communication/PR Officer, UNODC ROCA

Tel.: +996 775 98 78 17, email:  vasilina.brazhko[at]unodc.org