No one must ever be bought, sold, or exploited – UN’s Guterres

UN Secretary-General António Guterres in his address on the occasion of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, which is marked on July 30, said that no person must ever be bought, sold, or deprived of freedom.

That’s according to UN News, Ukrinform reports.

 “On this World Day against Trafficking in Persons, let us redouble our efforts to detect, protect, and support survivors and leave no trafficking victim behind. Together, let us build a world where no one can ever be bought, sold, or exploited," said Guterres.

According to the UN secretary-general, these days, against the background of growing inequalities, climate emergencies, and unprecedented rates of population displacement, more and more people are left vulnerable to traffickers.

"The majority of detected victims are women and children, many of whom suffer brutal violence, forced labor, and horrific sexual exploitation and abuse. Yet traffickers continue to operate with impunity. Their crimes are receiving not nearly enough attention," Guterres added.

The UN secretary-general suggested increasing investment in measures to detect and protect trafficking victims, as well as strengthen law enforcement to bring criminals that commodify human beings to justice.

"And we must do more to help survivors rebuild their lives," he added.

As Ukrinform reported earlier, Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets said that since the outset of the full-scale war, the risk of Ukrainian citizens falling into the situation of human trafficking has increased significantly.

Ten years ago, the UN General Assembly established that July 30 be marked as the World Day against Trafficking in Persons.