Regional workshop on human trafficking prevention

The event was jointly held by the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), ASEAN National Secretariat of Vietnam, ASEAN-US Partnership for Good Governance, Equitable and Sustainable Development and Security (PROGRESS), and the governments of Australia and Turkey.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Pham Sanh Chau reiterated the determination of the Vietnamese government to continue implementing effectively policies and measures to prevent human trafficking.

He called for stronger regional and international cooperation and mobilisation of financial resources to promote efforts in the field.

Participants said the prevention of human trafficking needs the joint efforts of governments, relevant agencies, organisations and individuals in the society.

They encourage the participation of the involved parties in consulting and implementing policies related to anti-trafficking of persons to build a people-centred ASEAN community.

The workshop put forth some recommendations to enhance the efficiency of prevention strategies and emphasised on such regional and international commitments as the ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (ACTIP), ASEAN Plan of Action Against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (APA), Bohol Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Work Plan 2017-2020, the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC), and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children.

These are foundation documents and necessary tools to strengthen cooperation in human trafficking prevention, heard the workshop.

Founded in 1967, the 10-member ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.