New York: Europe and the Arabs
The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Philemon Yang, said that the challenges of modern slavery and human trafficking constitute violations of fundamental human rights and "degrade human dignity and offend humanity." According to the UN Daily News Bulletin, a copy of which we received this morning, Wednesday, the President added, "These statements came during an event held at UN Headquarters on Tuesday, during which the Global Commission on Modern Slavery and Trafficking in Persons launched a report revealing that an estimated 50 million men, women, and children remain trapped in slavery around the world.
The report examines the causes of vulnerability to modern slavery and human trafficking and offers clear recommendations for urgent action to combat them.
Mr. Yang emphasized that the report serves as a "wake-up call" and a call to strengthen measures to address the causes, dimensions, and impacts of modern slavery and human trafficking, emphasizing that all countries are affected by this scourge—whether they are countries of origin, transit, or destination.
He added, "One in three victims of human trafficking is a child. This is a painful reality." Most victims of trafficking are women and girls, who often suffer brutal violence and various forms of sexual exploitation and abuse.
The President of the General Assembly noted that UN Member States have long rejected this cruelty and adopted landmark treaties to combat it, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was clear in prohibiting slavery and the slave trade in all its forms. He added, "What we need now is implementation. We need action."
Yang urged Member States to strengthen measures to combat modern slavery and trafficking in persons and prevent their entrenchment, including through the enactment of trauma-sensitive and survivor-centered policies, taking into account the unique challenges faced by different regions.
He added, "We need policies that promote inclusive growth and provide equal access to health care, education, skills training, and employment opportunities. Our policies must empower women and protect children."
Mr. Yang promised to keep these issues in the global spotlight and emphasized the importance of partnerships with civil society, the private sector, and other stakeholders to successfully combat this global threat.