Countering human trafficking: partnerships for protection and capacity-building

Summary

Date: 2 June 2008
Venue: United Nations Headquarters, New York

Objective:

In view of the UN General Assembly’s debate on the topic scheduled for 3 June, Third Committee deliberations, and this year’s agenda of the Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) this seminar will offer experts’ views on emerging issues linked to the global fight against human trafficking. It will also consider issues stemming from the Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking, held on 13-15 February 2008, which launched the implementation phase of the Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (GIFT).

In all these fora, multiple perspectives on and approaches to tackling human trafficking continue to exist. Nevertheless, there is increasing recognition of the need to place the human rights of trafficked persons, particularly women and children, at the centre of all efforts. Still, interpretations of what constitutes a human-rights based approach to human trafficking vary, and implementation remains a challenge.

Related Documents

Downloads:
Seminar programme (pdf)
Information note (pdf)

Summary report (pdf)

Presentations

Downloads (pdf):

Opening remarks by Mrs. Ndioro Ndiaye, Deputy Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Towards a human rights-based approach to fighting human trafficking
Opening remarks by Ms. Kyung-wha Kang, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights

Opening remarks by Dr. Hedia Belhadj, Deputy Director, Technical Support Division, UNFPA

Partnerships to assist victims of trafficking
Mr. Martin Wyss, Chief, IOM Mission in Moldova

Assisting victims of trafficking: the mandate of UNHCR
Ms. Wei-Meng Lim-Kabaa, Chief, Protection Policy & Legal Advice Section/Division of International Protection Services, UNHCR

Related Links:
UN.GIFT: Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking (13-15 February 2008)