30th July 2023 - Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt
The World Day against Trafficking in Persons is marked globally on the 30th of July as a reminder of the significance of raising awareness on a crime that affects not only the victims but also societies. This year’s theme, “Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind” stresses the importance of identifying victims of trafficking, protecting, and providing them with the needed support, and end impunity.
With this theme in mind, the National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons (NCCPIM&TIP), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (ROMENA), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) with the support of the European Union, Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and the United States Department of State, carried out a joint online awareness-raising campaign on social media bringing focus on the various forms of trafficking, as well as shared information on how to reach out for help, and the vitality of reporting.
Speaking on the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, Ms. Cristina Albertin, UNODC Regional Representative for the Middle East and North Africa affirmed that “According to the recent UNODC Global Trafficking in Persons Report, 41% of victims relied on self-rescue as the anti-trafficking responses were inadequate– they managed to escape and reach out to the authorities on their own initiative. While crime takes an enormous toll on the victims, in many criminal justice systems victims remain forgotten. On this day, I urge the Member States to ensure adequate support for victims of trafficking and reiterate the need to invest in a victim centered approach in counter-trafficking responses while being mindful of victims’ trauma and needs for protection.”
From his side, H.E. Ambassador Christian Berger, Head of the EU Delegation to the Arab Republic of Egypt emphasized that “In commemoration of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the EU and Egypt are committed to take actions against the smugglers and traffickers, who put people’s lives in danger. This is a global issue that cannot be addressed by one country, or a region alone. Migrant smuggling is causing serious human rights violations and deaths, in particular when it occurs at sea. The loss of lives at the hands of smugglers in the Mediterranean Sea is a powerful reminder of the acute need to tackle smuggling, using all legal, operational, and administrative levers available”.
In addition to this, all UN partners have taken part in the field visits, conducted in Cairo, Giza, Qalyubia, and Fayoum Governorates, by providing the visibility/awareness raising materials that were distributed to the public, who have attended the sensitization sessions. The field visits were carried out by NCCPIM&TIP and the Ministry of Social Solidarity’s social women leaders to deliver sensitization sessions on the risks and forms of trafficking in persons, and the reporting mechanisms for potential and actual victims of human trafficking.
The World Day against Trafficking in Persons was celebrated by the Government of Egypt and the key UN partner agencies. H.E Amb. Naela Gabr, NCCPIM&TIP Chairperson, has delivered a recorded speech on NCCPIM&TIP’s social media platforms. Similarly, Mr. Carlos Oliver Cruz, the Chief of Mission of IOM Egypt, Ms. Cristina Albertin, UNODC Regional Representative for the Middle East and North Africa and Mr. Eric Oechslin, ILO’s Cairo Country Office for Egypt and Eritrea shared their speeches on social media.
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