World Day against Trafficking in Persons 30th July 2020

Issued by Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF)

28th July 2020, Nairobi, Kenya.

Press Release

World Day against Trafficking in Persons is an annual commemoration held on 30th July. The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons defines Trafficking in Persons as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of threat or use of force or other

forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.

People trafficking and modern-day slavery is a great concern worldwide and in our region, in particular. Thousands of men, women and children end up in the hands of traffickers every year, often through being tricked and mislead to believe that they are being taken to work that will make their family better off or through  kidnapping.

Commemoration of World Day against Trafficking in Persons this year focusses on the first responders to human trafficking. These are the people who work in diverse sectors, identifying, supporting seeking justice for victims of trafficking, and challenging the impunity of the traffickers. During the COVID-19 crisis, the indispensable role of first responders has become even more significant, especially as the restrictions imposed by the pandemic have made their work more challenging. The Eastern Africa Standby Force acknowledges the valuable contributions played by the first responders and their pivotal roles in promoting and safeguarding human dignity.

There are many ways that people get caught up in trafficking, but the result is the same, they lose their rights and identity and are used and abused, and it is a global problem, an industry not far behind drugs and arms in terms of profit for traffickers. On the occasion of ‘World Day against Trafficking in Persons’ the EASF reiterates its unfailing commitment in protecting human rights and denouncing the criminal act of trafficking in persons.

As we commemorate the day against trafficking in persons, let us all standby together in condemning human trafficking.