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Dapkiunas: Belarus contributes to international cooperation against trafficking in persons

Andrei Dapkiunas

MINSK, 30 July (BelTA) – Belarus makes a huge contribution to international cooperation in the fight against trafficking in persons, Belarus’ Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Dapkiunas said at a special event held on 30 July to mark World Day against Trafficking in Persons, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs jointly with the Internal Affairs Ministry, the United Nations, the International Organization for Migration, the United States and Norway as the major donor countries, and also the OSCE, the EU and other national and international partners involved in the fight against trafficking in persons, turned the attention to the problem of trafficking in persons on the day.

Andrei Dapkiunas stressed that the institution of World Day against Trafficking in Persons, which raises awareness of this crime on the planet and calls to attach priority attention to the proper protection of victims of trafficking, was preceded by Belarus’ practical steps. World Day against Trafficking in Persons is marked annually in line with the decision of the UN General Assembly in 2013 following Belarus’ proposal.

Speaking at the UN summit in 2005 the Belarusian president suggested developing a global partnership against trafficking in persons. 

Belarus also developed a resolution to improve the coordination of efforts against trafficking in persons which was adopted by the UN General Assembly and was co-authored by about 100 states.

The United Nations Global Plan of Action against Trafficking in Persons was unanimously adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2010.

The document helped set up the Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons, which included more than 20 international organizations and brought together the states from around the world in the Group of Friends United against Human Trafficking.

The establishment of the Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking, Especially Women and Children, was a significant achievement. Belarus had repeatedly made voluntary contributions to the fund.

The Belarusian diplomat encouraged all partners to continue close cooperation, without which slavery in the world could not be eradicated.  

Speaking at the event were First Deputy Internal Affairs Minister Gennady Kazakevich, UN Resident Coordinator in Belarus Joanna Kazana-Wisniowiecki, Chief of Mission at IOM Belarus Mahym Orazmuhammedova, U.S. Charge d’Affaires in Belarus Jeffrey Giauque, Head of Political, Press and Information Section of the Delegation of the European Union to Belarus Evelina Schulz and Secretary General of the Belarusian Red Cross Society Olga Mychko.

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