The United Nations has underscored the importance of protecting vulnerable illegal migrants from traffickers.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, the National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons (NCCPIM&TIP), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), International Organization for Migration (IOM) and European Union emphasized the need to continue to raise awareness about human trafficking.
“Every year the entire world commemorates the World Day against Trafficking in Persons on the 30th of July as a reminder of the crucial role we should continue to play in raising awareness on this crime and its forms, in preventing it from taking place and protecting the vulnerable populations from falling prey to criminal groups, in supporting victims of trafficking in persons, and in prosecuting offenders and bringing them to justice,” they said.
This year the day comes at a time when all countries and communities are confronting challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic has affected the lives of men and women, adults and children from diverse backgrounds and with the deterioration of the economic conditions, their vulnerability to be trafficked has increased,” read the statement.
Meanwhile, the Libyan Navy spokesman said that the coast guard rescued 18 illegal migrants off the coast of the western city of Khoms after their rubber boat broke down.
On Tuesday, Libyan security forces deported 27 Tunisians who had taken part in an illegal migration operation.
