Pak asks UN to step up efforts against trafficking

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has called for stepped up international co-operation among countries of origin, TRANSIT AND DESTINATION TO IGHT THE “EGREGIOUS CRIME” OF TRAFICKING IN persons.

“GROWING CONLICTS, ECONOMIC INEQUALITY and the widening gap between the rich and the poor provide fertile ground to those who exploit human suffering,” Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations, told the UN Security Council, while underscoring the need to address ROOT CAUSES OF CONLICT.

At the outset of the 15-member counCIL’S DEBATE ON “TRAFICKING IN PERSONS IN CONLICT SITUATIONS,” SHE CONDEMNED the use of African migrants as slaves in Libya.

“We are appalled by recent reports that African migrants were exposed to the indignity of slavery, in Libya,” the Pakistani envoy said. “The international COMMUNITY MUST JOIN RANKS IN IGHTING this scourge.”

Voicing concern over human trafICKING AS A CONSEQUENCE OF CONLICT AND its linkages with terrorist groups, she said that the scourge has also become a cause of friction among nations.

The unprecedented ease of communication and transportation in an increasingly globalised world enables HUMAN TRAFICKERS AND TERRORIST NETWORKS, WHO OPERATE LIKE MAIAS, TO PERMEATE societies, Lodhi said.

Noting UN secretary-general’s report about 24.2 million newly displaced by CONLICTS, SHE SAID THAT THE SPREADING patterns of exploitation by terrorist groups call for redoubling efforts against this scourge and a united action by all the nations.

Underscoring Pakistan’s commitment TO IGHT THE CRIME OF TRAFICKING IN PERSONS in line with various international instruments, Lodhi highlighted the Palermo Convention, the Palermo Protocol and Security Council resolution 2331 (2016).

Pakistan, she said, had implemented a national action plan for combating human TRAFICKING AND SMUGGLING, ALONG WITH A strategic framework and a strengthened TRAFICKING-RELATED LEGISLATION.

Concerning the global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration, the Pakistani envoy expressed hope that the adoption of that instrument would help strengthen the existing global legal framework.

LONG TERM POLITICAL AND INANCIAL commitments and support, as well as the Security Council’s efforts, were critical to help build States’ capacities.