4 September 2010 - The Philippines pushed for stronger and "more decisive and united" steps by the international community to combat trafficking in persons and hailed the launch of the United Nations' Global Plan of Action against human trafficking as a concrete move to address a "growing global scourge."
In his statement last September 1, Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York Libran N. Cabactulan pointed out that "the importance of a harmonized and concerted global response against trafficking cannot be emphasized." Stressing the global dimension of trafficking in persons, Ambassador Cabactulan said the Philippines is a nation with a tenth of its population beyond its borders, and migration remains a major feature in Philippine society as it does in societies in today's world.
"The fight against human trafficking remains a strong priority for my country, and we continue to intensify our international efforts," he added.
The resolution, unanimously approved by acclamation last July 31, launched the Global Plan of Action described by the Philippines as "a framework of action to eliminate a crime that has no place in the modern world."
During discussions, Ambassador Cabactulan said, "We should be taking all opportunity to report, assist, inform, to share and show publicly and loudly that the international community as one intends to bring the many faces of this crime, and of the victims it produces."
The Philippines has been active in the fight against human trafficking, highlighted by its hosting of the 2nd Global Forum on Migration and Development in Manila in September 2008.
At the United Nations, the Philippines sponsored and initiated GA Resolution 61/144 on "Trafficking in Women and Girls" in 2006, emphasizing a strong gender approach to trafficking.
With Belarus, the Philippines organized an international conference on trafficking in women and girls in March 2007 and supported the Interactive Thematic Debate" Taking Collective Action Against Trafficking in 2009.
The Philippines is also a founding member of the Group of Friends United against Human Trafficking which now consists of 20 countries.
Most recently in Geneva, the Philippines sponsored with Germany a Resolution on Trafficking in Persons, especially women on June 23, 2010, which was adopted by the UN Human Rights Council.
"With this Global Action Plan, we have announced our steadfast commitment to stop human trafficking," said United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
"Indeed, the Plan was a clarion call. Human trafficking was among the worst human rights violations and constituted "slavery in the modern age". No country was immune - almost all played a part, either as a source of trafficked people, transit point or destination," he added.
Since the Assembly's adoption ten years ago of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, Governments, international organizations and civil society had taken steps to stop the crime, he said. But to end human trafficking in all its forms, a common approach was needed - coordinated and consistent across the globe.
"The Global Plan of Action will help us to achieve exactly that," Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said.
The Global Plan of Action would engage Governments and criminal justice systems, civil society and the private sector. Under the Plan, the fight against human trafficking would become part of all the United Nations broader development and security policies and programmes.
One of the Plan of Action's most important elements was a United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for trafficking victims, especially women and children, which aimed to protect vulnerable people and support physical and psychological recovery.
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged Member States, the private sector and philanthropists to contribute generously to the Fund and increase technical assistance to countries that supported the fight against trafficking, but lacked financial resources.