World Day against Trafficking in Persons tomorrow

The World Day against Trafficking in Persons will be observed in Bangladesh tomorrow as elsewhere in the globe.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has issued a message on the occasion, calling on all countries to fight money laundering and sign and ratify the UN Conventions against corruption and transnational organized crime, including the latter's human trafficking protocol.

"We must also provide meaningful assistance to those in need, including protection and access to justice and remedies I applaud the donors who have enabled the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons Fund to assist thousands of people," he said.

At the same time, the UN secretary general urged greater contributions to help the many million other victims of this crime move forward with their lives.

"Every country must join together to overcome this transnational threat by supporting and protecting victims while pursuing and prosecuting the criminals ... on the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, let us resolve to act as one in the name of justice and dignity for all," Moon said.

To observe the day, the USAID Bangladesh, the Winrk International, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Plan Bangladesh and other 
organizations will jointly arrange a discussion at the CIRDAP auditorium in the capital at 9:30 am tomorrow. 

In 2010, the UN General Assembly adopted the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons, urging governments worldwide to take coordinated and consistent measures to defeat this scourge. 

The plan calls for integrating the fight against human trafficking into the UN's broader programmes in order to boost development and strengthen security worldwide. One of the crucial provisions in the plan is the establishment of a UN Voluntary Trust Fund for victims of trafficking, especially women and children.

In 2013, the General Assembly held a high-level meeting to appraise the Global Plan of Action. Member States also adopted resolution A/RES/68/192 and designated July 30 as the World Day against Trafficking in Persons. 

This resolution declared that such a day was necessary to "raise awareness of the situation of victims of human trafficking and for the promotion and protection of their rights."

Source: BSS