United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Central America and the Caribbean

Progress and Challenges in the Fight Against Human Trafficking in Panama

Panama, January 22, 2020. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for Central America and the Caribbean (UNODC ROPAN) in coordination with the General Secretariat of the National Commission against Trafficking in Persons held an informative breakfast in which government agencies and representatives of civil society participated.

At this event, a presentation was made on the progress, challenges and difficulties encountered by the National Commission against Trafficking in Persons and the Unit for the Identification and Care of Victims of Trafficking in Persons.

An invitation was also extended to join the volunteer support for victims of trafficking in persons in order to raise funds for immediate assistance to victims provided by the Unit for the Identification and Care of Victims of Trafficking in Persons.

Combating human trafficking involves the implementation of strategies for prevention, prosecution of the crime and care of victims. In order to combat this scourge effectively, alliances are being strengthened with civil society, non-governmental organizations and the private sector.

The aim of the project is to promote the development of the government and social volunteering against this crime, which threatens the human dignity and integrity of people, mostly women and children.

In 2019, 61 cases of human trafficking were detected in Panama. Of these, 41 are women, 18 men, 1 child and 1 LGTB. The modalities of this crime were 33 cases for sexual exploitation, 26 cases for labor exploitation, one for servitude and one for other type of exploitation.

In March 2008, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime launched the "Blue Heart" campaign against trafficking in persons in Vienna, Austria. This campaign is a global movement that seeks to raise awareness of this crime and its impact on society.