Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 30 July (BelTA) - Belarus firmly advocates the idea of unity of action against trafficking in persons at the international level, Belarus’ Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Dapkiunas said at a press briefing

arranged by the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs jointly with the Office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Belarus on the occasion of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, BelTA has learned.

“To effectively combat trafficking in human beings we badly need joint and coordinated action of all stakeholders: states, international organizations, public organizations, private sector, media and everyone who cares. The review of the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons adopted on the initiative of Belarus, which took place at the UN last year, showed us that we have work to do to make our joint work on the prevention of trafficking, protection of and support of victims of this crime, truly comprehensive and integrated,” Andrei Dapkiunas said.

“Belarus strongly advocates, at the international level, the idea of unity of action against trafficking in human beings. With this aim, the country initiated resolution on improving the coordination of efforts against trafficking in persons at the 72nd session of the UN General Assembly last November. We were happy to see the document adopted by consensus. More than 70 countries became its sponsors,” Andrei Dapkiunas said.

The initiative to improve the coordination of efforts against trafficking in human beings is valuable because it proposes specific formats of joint work by the states, international organizations, business communities, non-governmental organizations and mass media, including in the context of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

In addition, the deputy minister noted the high level of engagement in Belarus of all national and international partners involved in the effort to combat human trafficking. He thanked the co-organizers of today's event. “The Ministry of Internal Affairs is our main national partner in this important matter. The International Organization for Migration is one of the most long-standing partners of Belarus in the protection of trafficking victims. I thank you, colleagues, for your perseverance and consistency of your intentions, for the friendly spirit of cooperation,” Andrei Dapkiunas said. He also thanked everyone present at the press briefing.

Taking part in the event were Zeinal Hajiyev, Head of the Office of the International Organization for Migration in Belarus, Joanna Kazana-Wisniowiecki, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Belarus, as well as representatives of government agencies, international organizations and the academic community.