UN calls for protecting children, women and migrants



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The rights of the victims of traffickers, smugglers and other modern forms of slavery or exploitation must become a priority, said UN Secretary-General Antonio Gueterres on the occasion of World Day of trafficking in human beings, celebrated on July 30.

"Trafficking is a heinous crime that thrives on inequities, instability and conflict," Antonio Guterres said in his message, quoted by the UN in a statement on Sunday, pointing out that traffickers exploit the hope and distress of others, and attack the most deprived by depriving them of their basic rights.

"Children and young people, migrants and refugees are targets of choice: women and girls are still in the line of fire ", regrets the UN chief, stating that they were subjected to heinous sexual exploitation, including prostitution coercion, forced marriage and sexual slavery, as well as In this regard, he welcomed the resolution by countries to prevent, combat and eliminate trafficking in human beings in the context of the Global Compact on Migration, which must be signed at the end of the year.

The UN is determined to take steps to ensure that traffickers are brought to justice while protecting and supporting their victims, said the head of the organization.

For his part, the Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Yuri Fedotov, stressed the need to strengthen interventions against trafficking in children and youth, which account for one third of the victims of this crime. "Protecting the most vulnerable among us has become increasingly important," said Fedotov, adding that humanitarian crises and armed conflict have put children and youth at increased risk, especially as they often move away from their families.

He also cautioned that traffickers use the Internet and new technologies to expand their reach, using applications and discussion forums to exploit and misleading young people, who represent some of our most connected citizens.

The UNODC Chief highlighted the importance of effective anti-trafficking measures that take into account the interests of children and women. young people, such as the Trafficking in Persons Protocol, affirming that UNODC is assisting governments to implement such measures.

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