The United Nations (UN) has strongly condemned human trafficking, describing it as a vile crime that feeds on inequalities, instability and conflict.
UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, in a statement made available to DAILY POST, lamented that traffickers profit from peoples’ hopes and despair.
Noting that the culprits prey on people’s vulnerable and rob them of their fundamental rights, Guterres expressed sadness that young people, migrants, refugees are especially susceptible, while women and girls are targeted again and again.
“We see brutal sexual exploitation, including involuntary prostitution, forced marriage and sexual slavery. We see the appalling trade in human organs”, the statement noted.
“Human trafficking takes many forms and knows no borders. Human traffickers too often operate with impunity, with their crimes receiving not nearly enough attention. This must change.
“The United Nations is committed to advancing action to bring traffickers to justice while protecting and supporting their victims. The rights of victims must come first – be they the victims of traffickers, smugglers, or of modern forms of slavery or exploitation.
“In their proposed Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration to be adopted in December, Member States have also demonstrated resolve to prevent, combat and eradicate trafficking in persons in the context of international migration.
“On this World Day against Trafficking in Persons, let us come together around the key issues of prevention, protection and prosecution to build a future where this crime cannot exist.”
Early in July, the Lagos State Police Command rescued three young women and arrested two suspected human traffickers who allegedly lured them from the South-East region with job promises.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has announced plans to introduce Trafficking in Persons, TIP, into the curricula of basic and secondary schools across the country. - Daily Post
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