Human trafficking knows no borders: regional and international cooperation is needed in order to fight it

DAKAR, 5 October, 2010 – From 4-5 October 2010, anti-trafficking experts from regional and sub-regional organisations convened in Dakar at the invitation of the UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, to discuss how they can innovatively and effectively work together and with the UN system, build synergies and enhance information-sharing in order to fight this phenomenon.

“Effective coordination of the various anti-trafficking initiatives and enhanced cooperation among all actors involved in combating trafficking is essential to maximise available resources, minimise duplication and address States’ fatigue vis à vis the number of demands they are required to attend to,” said the UN expert who led the meeting.

Experts from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East discussed issues related to prevention of trafficking, protection of trafficking victims, and institutional and normative frameworks established to address trafficking in all regions. “Assistance to and protection of victims must be non-conditional, responsive to the needs, and respectful of the human rights of trafficked victims. Regional and sub-regional organisations must therefore ensure that their normative frameworks, policies and practices integrate human rights, are appropriate to the age of the victims and sensitive to gender aspects,” Ms. Ezeilo emphasised.

Matthew Friedman, Regional Project Manager for the United Nations Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking (UNIAP) represented Asia and the COMMIT process during this event. “One thing that emerged was an understanding of the importance of data collection and analysis related to human trafficking trends throughout the world.” said Mr. Friedman. “We all have important experiences to share and this consultation has helped us to learn from each other to strengthen the work we do in our respective regions.”

The UN Special Rapporteur went on to say “Regional mechanisms are in a unique position to combat trafficking in a way that upholds human rights, not least because of their expertise and knowledge of local realities. I look forward to continuing to engage with these experts and their respective organisations in order to strengthen the effectiveness of our collective quest to end human trafficking – a modern day slavery, growing in scale and in terms of human rights repercussions.”

The meeting, organised as a follow-up to Ms. Ezeilo’s report* to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2010 on anti-trafficking efforts undertaken by regional and sub-regional mechanisms, allowed for an in-depth and forward-looking discussion around its recommendations. The Special Rapporteur reiterated her gratitude to the Government of Senegal and the West Africa Regional Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, for their support for the meeting.

(*): Check the Special Rapporteur’s report:
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/14session/A.HRC.14.32.pdf

ENDS

Ms. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo assumed the position of Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Especially in Women and Children, on 1 August 2008. Ms. Ezeilo is a human rights lawyer and professor at the University of Nigeria. She has also served in various governmental capacities, including as Honourable Commissioner for Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development in Enugu State and as a Delegate to the National Political Reform Conference. She has consulted for various international organisations and is also involved in several NGOs, particularly working on women’s rights. She has published extensively on a variety of topics, including human rights, women’s rights, and Sharia law.

Ms Ezeilo was conferred with a national honour (Officer of the Order of Nigeria, OON) in 2006 by Mr. President Olusegun Obasanjo (GCFR) for her work as a human right defender. Learn more about the mandate and activities of the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children:

http://www2.ohchr.org/english/issues/trafficking/index.htm

For more information and media requests, please contact:

Junko Tadaki (Tel: +41 22 917 9298 / e-mail: jtadaki@ohchr.org)