cncUN chief vows to stop human trafficking
CNC
Added On November 22, 2017
UN Secretary-General has urged more efforts to stop human trafficking in conflict situations.
Antonio Guterres made the remark at an open debate on human trafficking on Tuesday.
Guterres said criminals and terrorists are capitalizing on, and perpetuating, the disorder and mayhem of conflict.
He added their brutality knows no bounds: sexual exploitation, forced labor, the removal of bodily organs and slavery are the tools of their trade.
He highlighted recent press reports of African migrants in Libya being sold as slaves.
SOUNDBITE(English): ANTONIO GUTERRES, UN Secretary-General
"It is our collective responsibility to stop these crimes. We must act urgently to protect the human rights and dignity of migrant populations."
The UN chief called for a comprehensive way to stop the scourge.
He said trafficking is also a development issue, preventing the situations that lead to trafficking means addressing poverty and exclusion in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary-General, said that "We must also do more to support the victims and survivors of trafficking. Indeed, they should be treated as victims of crime and not detained, prosecuted or punished for unlawful activities they were compelled to engage in, in order to survive."
He also stressed the importance of international cooperation, mutual legal assistance and information-sharing.
He said that "The international community's commitment is being tested. We need to show the world our determination to end human trafficking, help its many victims and hold those responsible accountable for their crimes."
Italy, which holds this month's Security Council presidency, takes migration and security in the Mediterranean as well as human trafficking in the region as a priority.
