RP supports global fight vs human trafficking

The Philippines has expressed support for a recently-launched United Nations (UN) plan of action against human trafficking, the illegal trade in human beings for commercial sexual exploitation or forced labor. Libran Cabactulan, the Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN, said the country supports the UN Global Plan of Action against Human Trafficking, "modern-day form of slavery," because migration remains a major feature of Philippine society. Cabactulan said the fight against human trafficking is a government priority because around 10% of Filipinos reside in other countries. An article posted on the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) website over the weekend quoted Cabactulan as saying, “We should be taking all opportunity to report, assist, inform, to share and show publicly and loudly that the international community as one intends to bring the many faces of this crime, and of the victims it produces." UN plan against human trafficking On August 31, the UN launched a global plan of action to combat human trafficking at a high-level meeting of the General Assembly at UN Headquarters in New York. Under the plan, the fight against human trafficking would become a part of all the UN’s broader development and security policies and programs. The plan also calls for the setting up of a UN voluntary trust fund for trafficking victims, especially women and children. The fund will be used to help the victims recover physically and psychologically from the abuse. The plan also specifies the need for more research, data collection, and analysis of human trafficking. According to the UN News Centre, Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary-General, said the plan should serve as “a clarion call" to UN member States, international organizations, and civil society groups to take immediate steps “to stop this terrible crime against human dignity, which shames us all." The UN estimates that there are more than 2.4 million human trafficking victims around the world. The Philippines has long been involved in the fight against human trafficking. In 2006, the Philippines initiated the UN General Assembly (GA) Resolution 61/144 on “Trafficking in Women and Girls" in 2006, emphasizing a strong gender approach to trafficking. In 2007, the Philippines, together with Belarus, organized an international conference on trafficking in women and girls. In 2008, the country hosted the 2nd Global Forum on Migration and Development in Manila. In 2009, the Philippines expressed support for the Interactive Thematic Debate" Taking Collective Action Against Trafficking. In June this year in Geneva, the Philippines sponsored with Germany a Resolution on Trafficking in Persons, especially women. This resolution was adopted by the UN Human Rights Council. The Philippines is also a founding member of the Group of Friends United against Human Trafficking which now consists of 20 countries. –VVP, GMANews.TV