Tax condemns human trafficking
SADC Executive Secretary this week joined other world leaders in sensitising the world populace on the importance of rebuking, resisting and condemning human trafficking on the day of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons. Worldwide information circulating on Trafficking in persons indicates that it is a serious crime and a grave violation of human rights. It is stated that every year, thousands of men, women and children fall into the hands of traffickers, in their own countries and abroad.
Almost every country in the world is affected by trafficking, whether as a country of origin, transit or destination for victims. UNODC, as guardian of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC) and the Protocols thereto, assist States in their efforts to implement the Protocol to prevent, suppress and punish Trafficking in Persons (Trafficking in Persons Protocol. On Sunday, Dr Stergomena Tax issued a statement that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) joins the rest of the world in calling for an end to trafficking in persons.
The World Day against Trafficking in Persons was adopted in December 2013 by the United Nations General Assembly, through Resolution A/RES/68/192, and is commemorated every year. This year’s global theme — “Let’s act now to protect and assist trafficking victims' — provides an opportunity to raise awareness on the crime and on situation of victims of trafficking in persons. SADC acknowledges that the crime of trafficking in persons poses public security concerns worldwide, and the SADC region is not spared from the effects of this heinous crime that is largely of a transnational nature.
The Baseline Report on Trafficking in Persons in the SADC Region, published in 2016, emphasises that the impacts of trafficking in persons are far-reaching affecting individuals, communities and the wider region, thereby depreciating the socio-economic fabric of the region’s citizens as well as impacting negatively on SADC’s peace and security agenda. SADC responses to the crime are guided by the 10 Year SADC Strategic Plan of Action on Combating Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children (2009-2019). This framework underscores a holistic approach covering Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Partnerships, and identifies ‘victim support and witness protection’ as a key priority, which resonates well with this year’s theme.