On the initiative of Belarus, July 30 has been declared World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

30 July, Minsk /Anna Gromyko - BELTA/. Today, 30 July 2014, the international community will celebrate the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons for the first time. It was proclaimed by the United Nations on the initiative of the Republic of Belarus.

The decision to establish this day is enshrined in the resolution of the 68th session of the UN General Assembly of 18 December 2013, "Improving the coordination of efforts to combat trafficking in persons," and aims to strengthen international efforts to combat human trafficking. The date of 30 July marks the adoption of the UN Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons in 2010, which Belarus also initiated.

The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons was announced at a meeting of the UN General Assembly Committee, where a draft resolution on strengthening coordination in the fight against trafficking in persons was also adopted. The main goal of the resolution is to protect the rights of victims of trafficking. Trafficking in persons, particularly children and women, is strongly condemned by the committee members. It is a monstrous criminal act that poses a threat to human life, health, and dignity.

The meeting of the UN General Assembly Committee marked the beginning of a series of events to be held worldwide, aimed at raising awareness of the plight of trafficking victims and strengthening the protection of their rights.

Meetings dedicated to this day have already been held on international platforms, with the participation of the UN Secretary-General and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

On 17 July this year, representatives of UN member states, international organizations, and civil society expressed strong support for Belarus's efforts in this area at a special high-level event held at UN Headquarters in New York on the occasion of the first celebration of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. The event was organised by Belarus, in its capacity as coordinator of the Group of Friends United Against Human Trafficking, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.

On July 30, at the UN office in Vienna, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Yury Fedotov, will hold a briefing on the global human trafficking situation.

In Minsk, on the same day, a round table will be held with the support of the International Organization for Migration, with the participation of Belarusian state administration bodies, non-governmental organizations, and the diplomatic corps. During the event, participants will be informed about Belarus's efforts in combating human trafficking.

On July 30, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, jointly with the UNDP and with the support of the US Embassy in Belarus, will organize a free screening of two feature films on the theme of combating human trafficking at the Pobeda cinema.

At the Embassy of Belarus in Azerbaijan, with the participation and support of the International Organization for Migration Representation in Azerbaijan, a seminar dedicated to the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons will be held. The event is planned to be attended by representatives of Azerbaijani state bodies dealing with the issues of combating human trafficking, the accredited diplomatic corps and international representations, and non-governmental organizations.-0-

News of Belarus (BELTA)