Join hands to raise awareness about preventing and combating human trafficking

Event in response to World Day Against Trafficking in Persons aims to raise community awareness about the fight against human trafficking.

Since 2013, the United Nations has identified human trafficking as one of the four most dangerous crimes in the world . Meanwhile, transnational organized crime is becoming increasingly complex and is on the rise globally, and Vietnam is no exception. To effectively combat this type of crime, countries and governments need close and regular coordination.

Exchange of commemorative gifts between the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and the British Embassy in Vietnam. (Source: British Embassy in Vietnam)

With the theme "Reaching out to every victim of human trafficking - Leaving no one behind," the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, in collaboration with the British Embassy in Hanoi, organized an event to commemorate World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on the evening of July 20th at the University of Labour and Social Affairs.

According to a statement from the British Embassy, ​​the event aimed to spread the message to raise public awareness of the risks they may face when choosing illegal migration routes, and to encourage people to consider legal migration options for their own benefit and the future of their families.

Accompanying the program are the Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Van Hoi, the British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew, singer Phan Manh Quynh and Miss Universe Vietnam 2017 H'Hen Niê.

Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Van Hoi hopes the program will contribute to raising public awareness and understanding of the risks and harms of human trafficking. (Source: British Embassy in Vietnam)

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Van Hoi said that in recent years, the situation of human trafficking has continued to be complex on a global scale.

Human trafficking crimes often operate through complex relationships across multiple countries with increasingly sophisticated methods, causing particularly serious human rights violations, negatively impacting the political security of each nation, and serving as a central hub leading to a range of other offenses such as illegal immigration, document forgery, prostitution, and drug trafficking.

Over the past period, the Party, Government, ministries, sectors, and People's Committees of provinces and cities have paid attention to directing the work of preventing and combating human trafficking and supporting victims, achieving many encouraging results: Communication efforts have raised awareness, especially among high-risk groups; many human trafficking cases have been dismantled; and many victims have been rescued and supported in reintegrating into the community.

However, human trafficking remains a complex issue. Many people, due to a lack of understanding, are still exploited by criminals for trafficking, forced labor, sexual coercion, and organ trafficking, leading to insecurity, disorder, and the destruction of many families. The majority of trafficking victims suffer from physical health deterioration and psychological trauma, resulting in reduced ability to work and study, and negatively impacting their quality of life.

British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew believes that combating human trafficking is an important area and brings mutual benefits to both countries. (Source: British Embassy in Vietnam)

Commenting on the event, British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew emphasized that the fight against modern slavery and human trafficking continues to be a top priority for the UK government.

The UK Government is “committed to working more closely with the Vietnamese Government in preventing and combating human trafficking through capacity building, raising awareness, information sharing, prosecution of criminals and protecting vulnerable people.”

According to Ambassador Iain Frew, the event commemorating World Day Against Trafficking in Persons "reflects the spirit of the 50-year diplomatic partnership between Vietnam and the United Kingdom."

"We encourage everyone to think carefully when planning their migration routes. Migrants need to be clearly aware of the risks associated with illegal migration and should seek legal forms of migration to ensure their safety," the British diplomat emphasized.

Singer Phan Manh Quynh interacted with the audience and performed songs at the event. (Source: British Embassy in Vietnam)

Also within the framework of the program, delegates and students from the University of Labour and Social Affairs participated in a Q&A session on knowledge about preventing and combating human trafficking, and interacted with singer Phan Manh Quynh, listening to him perform two songs he composed: "Abroad," about the feelings of Vietnamese migrant workers in foreign lands, and "Think Before You Act," the theme song for the communication activities within the framework of the TMSV project of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Expressing his delight at participating in media programs on preventing and combating human trafficking, singer Phan Manh Quynh shared, "The most important thing when working abroad is legality, so that each person working abroad can minimize risks and protect themselves."

Having been involved throughout the event's activities, Miss Universe Vietnam 2017 H'Hen Niê shared that, as an Ê Đê ethnic girl, she was fortunate to be a part of the program, to hear many real-life stories, especially those about ethnic minorities facing this issue.

She "noticed that human trafficking criminals often exploit the desire for quick wealth and a better life among young people who were born and raised in difficult circumstances, lacking education and access to knowledge."

That's why H'Hen feels the practicality and significance of community awareness-raising communication activities like this."

Miss H'Hen Niê presents souvenirs to outstanding students during the Q&A session on preventing and combating human trafficking. (Source: British Embassy in Vietnam)

National Day for Preventing and Combating Human Trafficking

The United Nations has identified human trafficking as one of the four most dangerous crimes in the world and included it in the Global Programme on Crime Prevention since 2013, as well as designating July 30th as the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

On May 10, 2016, the Prime Minister issued a decision designating July 30th of each year as the National Day for the Prevention and Combat of Human Trafficking.

Since 2016, the Steering Committee 138/CP has presided over activities commemorating the National Day for the Prevention and Combat of Human Trafficking on July 30th, aiming to leverage the combined strength of the entire political system and the whole population to participate in preventing, deterring, and ultimately eliminating human trafficking crimes.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/chung-tay-nang-cao-nhan-thuc-ve-phong-chong-mua-ban-nguoi-235575.html