Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 28 July (BelTA) - UN member states should adopt comprehensive measures to ensure the protection of human trafficking victims, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Austria, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Belarus to the International Organizations in Vienna Alena Kupchyna said at the event organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) dedicated to the World Day against Trafficking in Human Beings, BelTA learned from the press servic eo fhte Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus,

“In her speech, Belarus’ Permanent Representative stressed the importance of coordinating the efforts of the UN member states, international organizations and civil society in the fight against human trafficking. Ambassador Alena Kupchyna also expressed solidarity with the victims of human trafficking and urged UN member states to take comprehensive measures to ensure their protection and support, including through donations to the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children,” the ministry informed.

Ambassador Alena Kupchyna drew attention of the participants to the High-Level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on the Appraisal of the UN Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons to be held in September 2017 in New York. She underscored Belarus' leading role in the development of international cooperation in this field.

Starting from 2006, the UN General Assembly has regularly adopted Belarus-sponsored resolutions on improving coordination in combating trafficking in persons. In July 2010, on the initiative of Belarus the UN General Assembly approved the UN Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons. In addition, on the suggestion of Belarus the Group of Friends United against Human Trafficking, which now includes 21 states, has been established in New York, Geneva, and Vienna.

This year, on the initiative of Belarus, the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice adopted a resolution to implement the above-mentioned Global Plan. Nineteen states representing all regions of the world became co-sponsors of this resolution.

World Day against Trafficking in Persons is observed annually on 30 July, starting from 2014. This day has been included into the international calendar on the initiative of Belarus and marks the date of adoption of the UN Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons.