Key Takeaways
- The UN chief calls for more efforts to protect children from human trafficking on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
- Human trafficking targets the most vulnerable in our societies, including children, who account for one third of trafficking victims.
- The UN chief emphasizes the need to strengthen protection responses, including child-sensitive justice mechanisms, to tackle the root causes of exploitation.
United Nations: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for more efforts to protect children from human trafficking, in a message for the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, observed annually on July 30.
“Human trafficking is a horrific crime that targets the most vulnerable in our societies,” Guterres said. “On this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, we focus on the most vulnerable among us — children.”
Children account for one third of trafficking victims, who suffer “unspeakable abuse,” including being forced into labor, sold off as brides, recruited as soldiers or coerced into criminal activities, he said on Monday.
Rising inequalities and globalization have fuelled complex trafficking networks. These networks challenge traditional legal frameworks, creating new forms of slavery. Online platforms expose children to sexual exploitation and gender-based violence, allowing traffickers to exploit victims across borders.
Noting that the physical and psychological scars of these crimes persist long into adulthood, robbing them of their innocence, futures and fundamental rights, Guterres stressed: “We must strengthen protection responses — including child-sensitive justice mechanisms, raise awareness, support unaccompanied children on the move, provide care for survivors and tackle the root causes of exploitation by helping vulnerable families.”
The UN chief called upon governments, civil society and the private sector, including tech companies, to intensify their efforts and collaboration so that no child is victimized and no trafficker goes unpunished. “On this day, let us renew our commitment for a future where every child is safe and free,” he said.
