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Firstly, allow me to express
our sincere appreciation to UNODC for the publication of the 7th
Global Report on Trafficking in Persons as well as for organising this event.
It is a great honour to be among distinguished speakers today, contributing
to the discussion on how to end human trafficking and protect more victims.
Trafficking in persons exploits
vulnerable women, men, girls, and boys of all ages; it violates fundamental
human rights and offends human dignity. It is a serious crime often having a
transnational character, and therefore particularly difficult to control.
During the reporting period, the COVID-19 pandemic – as well as many other
challenges around the globe, including conflicts and the climate emergency –
has led to an increase of economic and social inequalities that are among the
root causes of human trafficking.
As indicated in the UNODC
Report, it is indeed worrisome that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the
level of detection and the characteristics of trafficking. It is alarming
that the pandemic restrictions may have driven some forms of trafficking in
hidden locations, increasing the dangers for victims and making the crime
less detectable to the authorities. This is why the UNODC Global Report on
Trafficking in Persons is of a great importance, shading light and providing
the analysis needed to policymakers and practitioners in understanding the
crime and assisting our common efforts in ending human trafficking.
Trafficking in persons is a
global issue also affecting Cyprus. We are committed in ending human
trafficking and we work towards this goal. Mindful of our time today, allow
me to add in our discussion one more element that can assist our efforts to
detect the crime and address its new characteristics: the financial aspect.
The sole purpose of trafficking
in persons is the economic gain since it’s a crime generating high profits to
perpetrators. In this regard, investigations into the financial aspects of
human trafficking, such as following the financial trail the traffickers
leave behind, are essential tools in our effort to identify and combat the
crime.
In this regard, Cyprus has just
published its first Strategic Analysis Report for financial institutions,
providing guidance on how to identify and report suspicious transactions
related to human trafficking. This Operational Alert aims to strengthen the
partnership between actors of the private and public sector, assist the
Cyprus’ Financial Intelligence Unit to disrupt the business model of
traffickers, and enhance the overall efforts in preventing and combating
trafficking in persons, with an aim to save and protect more victims.
Madame Moderator,
Human dignity is non-negotiable
and trafficking in persons can no longer be tolerated. In the effort to
combat this crime, we need more than ever effective multilateralism and
strong partnerships between Governments, the UN system, Civil Society, and
the Private Sector.
I thank you.
(MH/ECHR)
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