United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Central America and the Caribbean

UNODC and the Government of Guatemala join Forces in the Fight against Human Trafficking

Guatemala City, July 28, 2016.

With the participation of the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Guatemala, Mr. Francisco Rivas, the Secretary against Sexual Violence, Exploitation and Trafficking in Persons of Guatemala (SVET), Ms. Claudia Ordoñez, the Consul of Canada in Guatemala, Mr. Esman Calles, the Judiciary President, Mr. Ranulfo Rafael Rojas, and the Acting Regional Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and for Central America and the Caribbean (UNODC ROPAN), Mr. Olivier Inizan, the Blue Heart Campaign against Human Trafficking was launched today at the National Palace in Guatemala City.

This important event was also attended by senior officials of the Government of Guatemala, members of the diplomatic corps in the country, and representatives of the academia, national and international organizations, civil society and the private sector.

The official launch ceremony was followed by a ballet presentations by the Municipal School of Dance and a play performed by students from the Mezquital Institute, who represented the different forms of trafficking in persons. Additionally, a number of videos starring singers, athletes, public figures from media and human trafficking supporting the Campaign were displayed.

Right after this cultural/artistic section, attendees proceeded to sign the Blue Heart Pact, thus expressing their individual commitment to support the prevention and fight against the twenty-first century slavery.

As part of the activity, several iconic buildings such as the National Palace of Culture, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Judiciary and the Public Ministry, were illuminated with blue lights.

On 30 July 2016, a second launch of the campaign will take place in La Antigua, with a view to promoting full involvement of local municipalities in the activities carried out in the context of the campaign.

Central American countries will keep raising awareness: HUMANS ARE NOT FOR SALE.