Philippines joins calls vs human trafficking

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines joined 21 other member states of the United Nations in calling on all countries to use the occasion of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons to “ensure an effective prevention and anti trafficking response” at all levels.

Ambassador Cecilia Rebong, Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, said “linking hands with other like-minded states in an effort to strengthen coordination and galvanize action against human trafficking is a continuing priority advocacy of the Philippines.”

Aside from the Philippines, the Geneva Group of Friends United Against Human Trafficking include Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Ecuador, Egypt, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Libya, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, UAE, Uzbekistan and Venezuela.

This year also marks the fifth anniversary of the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons.

Under the Global Plan of Action, UN member states resolved to improve their coordination and strengthen the capacity of the UN Inter Agency Coordination Group Against Trafficking in Persons (IACAT).