Trafficking in persons is a tragic and complex human rights abuse. No region in our global village is immune to this immoral trade, which treats victims as faceless commodities, smuggles them across borders, then sells and exploits them under the threat of brutal violence.
Whilst governments have the primary responsibility for the realization of human rights, each of us has a role to play. We all acknowledge the opportunities provided by the tremendous advances in knowledge, information technology, communications, healthcare and increased connectivity of the 21st century. However, two centuries after the abolition of slavery, the exploitation of human beings not only continues, but has taken on a terrible dimension worldwide.
We have to End Human Trafficking Now! The Suzanne Mubarak Women’s International Peace Movement, which I am proud to be member of, has taken a crucial step by engaging the business community in this endeavor. It is time to regroup and fight human trafficking. I am fully supportive of this Initiative!