Guterres: Human trafficking is a violation of people's rights and a flagrant violation of their safety

New York-Sana

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stressed today that human trafficking is a horrific crime, a heinous violation of the rights of people and a flagrant violation of their integrity and dignity, calling for the eradication of human trafficking.

The United Nations News Center quoted Guterres as saying on the occasion of the International Day against Trafficking in Human Beings: It is unfortunate that human trafficking is a worsening problem, especially for women and girls, who represent the majority of victims of trafficking among the cases detected globally.

He added that the (Covid 19) pandemic has separated children and young people from their friends and peers and forced them to spend more time alone and on the Internet, and the scourge of conflict, climate change, inequality and poverty has affected tens of millions of people around the world, leaving them living in destitution and isolation.

Guterres pointed out that "human traffickers have exploited these vulnerabilities and used advanced technologies to identify, track, monitor and exploit victims," ​​explaining that Internet platforms allow them to defraud people and use them with false promises, and the dark web allows them to hide their identities while they publish their despicable content, including those that exploit children sexually.

He added that technology gives consumers the ability to request more dangerous content without revealing their identities, and this is what fuels the phenomenon of human trafficking.

The theme of this year's World Day Against Trafficking in Persons was the use and abuse of technology, and in this regard, Guterres stressed that this is "a reminder that if technology can help human trafficking, it can also be a critical tool in combating it."

Guterres also stressed the need for governments, regulators, businesses and civil society to join forces to invest in policies, laws and technological solutions that can help identify and support victims, detect and punish perpetrators, and ensure that the Internet is an open space for all people where they do not fear for their safety and security.

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