Philippines leads passage of resolution on trafficking in persons at the UN Human Rights Council

Friday 6th of July 2012

MANILA, July 6 -- The Philippines, joined by Germany, led 68 other countries on July 5 in successfully pushing for the adoption of a United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council resolution on access to effective remedies of trafficked victims, including their right to effective remedies for human rights violations.

Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN Offices in Geneva, Ambassador Evan Garcia, told the Human Rights Council in his sponsorship statement that "trafficking in persons remains a major problem of humanity," a press statement from DFA said.

Citing figures from the LJN Office of Drugs and Crime, Ambassador Garcia said that there are at least 2.4 million people who are victims of trafficking at any time. He added that 66% of the trafficked victims are women and 16% are girls.

In this resolution of the Human Rights Council (HRC), states are encouraged to recognize trafficked persons as victims with specific protection needs and to ensure the promotion, protection, and fulfilment of their human rights.

This HRC resolution exhorts states to provide assistance and support to trafficked victims in appropriate individual cases, for them to access remedies such as restitution, rehabilitation, compensation, satisfaction, and guarantees on non repetition of the crime.
Ambassador Garcia explained that among other actions that were asked of states in this resolution is "providing trafficked persons with appropriate, relevant and understandable information on their rights and the mechanisms and procedures to exercise these rights.

States are also asked to "facilitate legal assistance for trafficked persons to exercise their right to an effective remedy."
Germany is the Philippines' main partner for this resolution. The Philippines' partnership with Germany on the issue of trafficking in persons has been ongoing for five years. (DFA)