The National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Person (NCCPIM&TIP), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) organized a reception to mark the World Day against Trafficking in Persons on July 30th, 2018. The reception also celebrates the opening of the NCCPIM & TIP’s newly renovated offices, and the launching of the Blue Heart Campaign against trafficking in persons in Egypt.

Ambassador Gabr affirmed that that combating trafficking in persons cannot be efficient in reaching its objectives without tackling its root causes. Therefore different partners work on development projects aimed at poverty alleviation and job creation. She also added that combating trafficking in persons cannot be sufficient without regional and international cooperation. In this regard, the Egyptian experience could serve as an example to be followed by our sister African nations.

During the event, the Head of the European Union Delegation to the Arab Republic of Egypt, Ambassador Ivan Surkos, delivered a speech to mark the opening of the newly renovated NCCPIM&TIP offices. In his speech, the Ambassador highlighted that there is still more to be done to combat human trafficking and that the EU Delegation looks forward to the next stage of activities, including the launch of the national awareness raising campaign.. The event also featured “I know my right” photography exhibition to raise the attendees’ awareness about the issue of trafficking in persons. The renovation of the NCCPIM&TIP offices and the photography exhibition were completed under the IOM-implemented project “Action to Support the National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons (NCCPIM&TIP) to Create a Safe and Secure Environment in Egypt”, funded by the European Union.

Ms. Cristina Albertin, the UNODC Representative for the Middle East and North Africa, congratulated Egypt for having adopted the Blue Heart Campaign on the World Day against Trafficking in Persons. In her speech, Ms. Albertin recognized the increasing collaboration between Egypt and UNODC on addressing the crimes of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants.. She stated: “Awareness raising for the vulnerable communities, especially youth, is critical for prevention. The private sector, civil society organizations and individual citizens are encouraged to participate in the campaign and play an active role to end this crime.

Mr. Laurent De Boeck, IOM Head of Programmes in the Arab Republic of Egypt reiterated the importance of enhancing the cooperation at both the national and cross-border levels. An effective response to human trafficking results from the cooperation between all stakeholders and other national actors, dealing with the protection and prosecution. He stressed that since human trafficking is often a cross-border crime, the appropriate actions to prosecute the case and protect the victims require a regular cooperation and dialogue between the duty bearers from the affected countries.

The Blue Heart Campaign is a global awareness-raising campaign, with 21 countries joining, to engage people in combating trafficking in persons. Egypt is the fourth country in the Middle East and North Africa Region after Lebanon, Sudan and Tunisia, and the 22^nd country in the world to join the campaign. UNODC is the guardian of the United Nations Convention on Transnational Organized Crime and its supplementing Protocol on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants.  

The event was made possible with the generous support of the European Union and Norway.

The event supports the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals no.3 related to good health, no.8 related to good jobs and economic growth, no.10 related to reduced inequalities, no.16 related to peace and justice and no. 17 related to partnerships for the goals. This event also supports achievement of the objectives of the social and economic dimensions of the Sustainable Development Strategy 2030 of the Government of Egypt.

For more information, please contact Monica Georges Ibrahim, email: iomegypt@iom.int