Vietnam's strong commitment to preventing and combating human trafficking in cyberspace

(Chinhphu.vn) - On the morning of July 28, a discussion with the theme "Connecting actions: Leaving no one behind in the work of preventing and combating human trafficking" took place in Hanoi.

United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pauline Tamesis speaks at the event - Photo: VGP/Thuy Dung

Nearly 250 delegates from agencies and organizations in the anti-human trafficking network in Vietnam, including representatives of government agencies, United Nations organizations, international organizations, cybersecurity experts, and youth leaders, attended the seminar.

The event aims to raise public awareness of emerging trends in human trafficking, advocate for strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies, enhancing international cooperation, leveraging technology to identify and disrupt human trafficking networks, and ensuring policies always put the voice of victims at the center.

World Day against Trafficking in Persons, observed annually on 30 July, is a global reminder of the importance of raising awareness of a crime that affects not only victims but also society as a whole.

This year’s theme, “Human Trafficking is Organised Crime – Let’s Work Together to End Exploitation!” highlights the key role of law enforcement agencies in combating organised crime and ensuring that the legal system puts victims at the centre of protection, support and access to justice.

In recent years, the situation of human trafficking crimes in the Asia- Pacific region has been very complicated. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Southeast Asia has witnessed the explosion of fraud complexes, where transnational criminal organizations operate complex online fraud activities.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Southeast Asia Trafficking in Persons Report, the number of trafficking cases receiving IOM support in the region increased more than threefold from 296 in 2022 to 978 in 2023.

Speaking at the event, UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pauline Tamesis shared that Vietnam is preparing to host the signing ceremony of the Hanoi Convention, the first global treaty to address cybercrime, marking a turning point in international cooperation to combat crimes using technology, including human trafficking.

“Above all, we need to reaffirm our commitment to protecting victims, especially vulnerable communities and children, and to dismantling organised crime networks in the digital age,” said Pauline Tamesis.

Delegates from agencies and organizations take souvenir photos at the event - Photo: VGP/Thuy Dung

According to Colonel Le Hoang Duong, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Public Security, the consistent viewpoint of the Party and State of Vietnam is to recognize, protect and ensure human rights, especially those of women and children.

The national program on preventing and combating human trafficking in all stages has mobilized the participation of the entire political system, ministries, departments, branches and all people; in which, prevention is the main and fundamental factor in implementing all aspects of work.

Notably, the Law on Prevention and Combat of Human Trafficking 2024, effective from July 1, 2025, has added important principles to meet practical requirements, in accordance with international treaties to which Vietnam is a member, especially the principle of "taking victims as the center", expanding the protected subjects as well as the support regime for victims, Mr. Duong emphasized.

IOM Acting Chief of Mission in Vietnam Mitsue Pembroke highly appreciated Vietnam's efforts to promote safe migration and combat human trafficking, especially the Government's efforts in amending the Law on Prevention and Combating Human Trafficking in 2024.

“This is a remarkable milestone and demonstrates Viet Nam’s strong commitment to combating this crime. The law amendments will lay a stronger foundation to address the increasingly complex trends of human trafficking, which are further complicated by socio-economic challenges,” said IOM Acting Chief of Mission in Viet Nam.

With nearly 2.4 billion young people globally, this is the largest generation in history. Of the 281 million international migrants, about 11.3% are under 24 years old. In Vietnam, there are more than 22 million young people between the ages of 16 and 30, and many young people have been considering finding places with better work and study opportunities./.

Thuy Dung

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/cam-ket-manh-me-cua-viet-nam-trong-phong-chong-mua-ban-nguoi-tren-khong-gian-mang-102250728144405775.htm