On 18 October 2023, Martin Královič, the State Secretary of the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic and National Coordinator for Fighting Trafficking in Persons, announced Slovakia’s partnership in the Blue Heart Campaign during a press conference. This momentous occasion was marked by the illumination of the presidential palace and the launch of a nationwide awareness campaign in collaboration with CINEMAX.
Slovakia became the 37th supporting country of the Blue Heart Campaign to raise awareness of the grave issue of human trafficking and its profound impact on individuals and society.
The Slovak Republic is dedicated to combating human trafficking as a source, transit and a destination country for trafficking in persons, especially for sex trafficking and forced labour. The Slovak Republic has undertaken critical measures, from supporting refugees to fostering international cooperation. Joining the Blue Heart Campaign is yet another testament to their commitment. Tweets and more.
In commemoration of the World Day Against Trafficking 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic held the event “Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind: more protection, fewer victims”. The event featured a keynote address by UNODC, highlighting the significance of this year's theme, global trafficking trends and potential measures governments and stakeholders could put in place to leave no one behind. In a demonstration of the nation's commitment, Roberto Alvarez, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, took the stage with a compelling keynote speech, stating that the theme “is an urgent call to action to confront this terrible form of violence that impacts millions of human beings worldwide.” He further underscored the nation's dedication to combating human trafficking and ensuring the protection and empowerment of every individual affected by this grave issue. Tweets and more.
The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons was commemorated with a family recreational event called "As a family, we protect ourselves from human trafficking" on Morazán Boulevard in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The purpose of this recreation day was to raise awareness of human trafficking and to promote prevention, reporting, and addressing of this global phenomenon.
The day kicked off with an energetic Zumba class taught by members of the Municipal Mayor's Office of the Central District, followed by a performance of the folk dance group of the cadets from the National Police Academy (ANAPO). The group Uniendo Voces de Honduras stood out with a captivating singing and dancing performance and a group of boys and girls showcased their cycling skills.
Commemorating World Day against Trafficking in Persons 2023 in Panama, UNODC, in coordination with the Crime Stoppers Organization and the Museo de la Libertad, and with the support of the Ministry of Public Security and the Public Ministry, opened the exhibition "For Sale or for Rent," taking visitors on a journey through the reality of human trafficking and the risks of exploitation. The exhibition is open to the public at the Museo de la Libertad until September. In solidarity with the Global Campaign, the Museum building is illuminated in blue throughout July. Tweets and more.
The Government of Guatemala, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Secretariat against Sexual Violence, Exploitation, and Trafficking in Persons (SVET), has announced the relaunch of the Blue Heart Campaign. This campaign serves as a powerful reminder to prioritize efforts to combat human trafficking and ensure that no one is left behind. The relaunch of the Blue Heart Campaign holds significant importance not just for Guatemala but also for the entire region. The government is firmly committed to implementing effective measures to tackle the crime of trafficking. They urge all sectors of Guatemalan society to actively participate in the Blue Heart Campaign, uniting as one voice against human trafficking. Tweets and more.
Peru's 2023 anti-trafficking campaign carries the slogan "No to Trafficking! We Are People, Not Commodities." The Ministry of Interior in Peru, specifically through the General Directorate of Democratic Security, has been a longstanding supporter of the Blue Heart campaign. Collaborating with UNODC, ILO, and IOM in the country, they aim to enhance their shared commitment to prevent human trafficking, prosecute and punish traffickers, and provide care and reintegration support for victims. As part of the campaign launch, Blue Heart pins were distributed to raise awareness and rally support in the fight against this abhorrent crime. More
For the third consecutive year, Malta participated in the Blue Heart Campaign on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. Malta broadens its commitments in the fight against human trafficking while continuing to collaborate with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Find out more about Malta’s activities to raise awareness of human trafficking around the 2022 World Day and stop trafficking
Press release (PDF)
The Blue Heart Campaign: #AQUIESTOY (I#HereIAm) against human trafficking aims to raise public awareness of human trafficking and to promote a 1-800 number to report suspected trafficking cases.
Visit: www.unodc.org/aqui-estoy
Collection: Blue Heart Campaign: #AQUIESTOY against human trafficking (flickr.com)
17 May 2022 - The virtual event co-organized by France and Sweden, dedicated supporters of the Blue Heart Campaign, and UNODC focused on presenting concrete actions taken by States, NGOs and the aviation sector to combat human trafficking. A new UNODC report on human trafficking in Southeastern Europe was introduced. The event took place on the sidelines of the 31th session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ).
Find out more in the attached report provided by France and Sweden.
