29.05.2013
UN: Belarus makes a great contribution to combating human trafficking
MINSK, 29 May (BelTA) – Belarus has done a lot to promote the global action plan to combat the slavery of the 21st century – trafficking in human beings, Deputy Secretary General, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime Yuri Fedotov told reporters on 29 May, BelTA has learnt.
“We are satisfied with our achievements in combating this common problem. We are doing good so far. The number of criminal cases reaching the court is increasing. Maybe, we are not there yet, but we have been making good progress,” Yuri Fedotov said. He emphasized the important role of Belarusian law enforcement bodies in combating human trafficking on a global scale. “The fact that representatives of many states have come to Minsk to discuss the matter and share best practices testifies to the fact that Belarus plays an important role in this process,” he noted.
Yuri Fedotov arrived in Belarus on a working visit. He is going to take part in a seminar for representatives of law enforcement bodies of the Group of Friends member states. This group was set up upon the initiative of Belarus to combat human trafficking. Now it is composed of 22 states who believe in consolidated international efforts to combat human trafficking. Representatives of all the countries that make part of the Group of Friends arrived in Belarus.
Participants of the seminar are expected to come up with single approaches to implementing international standards in protecting the rights of human trafficking victims, discuss ways to reinforce cooperation between countries and international organizations, and optimize measures to prevent human trafficking.
The forum is part of the international technical aid project “Combating Trafficking in Human Beings: New Challenges and Threats” implemented by the Academy of the Interior Ministry of Belarus with financial support of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The Interior Ministry and Foreign Ministry are also involved in the project.
“We are satisfied with our achievements in combating this common problem. We are doing good so far. The number of criminal cases reaching the court is increasing. Maybe, we are not there yet, but we have been making good progress,” Yuri Fedotov said. He emphasized the important role of Belarusian law enforcement bodies in combating human trafficking on a global scale. “The fact that representatives of many states have come to Minsk to discuss the matter and share best practices testifies to the fact that Belarus plays an important role in this process,” he noted.
Yuri Fedotov arrived in Belarus on a working visit. He is going to take part in a seminar for representatives of law enforcement bodies of the Group of Friends member states. This group was set up upon the initiative of Belarus to combat human trafficking. Now it is composed of 22 states who believe in consolidated international efforts to combat human trafficking. Representatives of all the countries that make part of the Group of Friends arrived in Belarus.
Participants of the seminar are expected to come up with single approaches to implementing international standards in protecting the rights of human trafficking victims, discuss ways to reinforce cooperation between countries and international organizations, and optimize measures to prevent human trafficking.
The forum is part of the international technical aid project “Combating Trafficking in Human Beings: New Challenges and Threats” implemented by the Academy of the Interior Ministry of Belarus with financial support of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The Interior Ministry and Foreign Ministry are also involved in the project.