A regional conference on fostering international cooperation to prevent and address trafficking in persons (TIP) and smuggling of migrants (SOM) kicked off on Monday in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm El Sheikh.
The conference is organized by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the regional office for the Middle East and North Africa in cooperation with Egypt’s National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons (NCCPIMTIP).
In her speech at the launch, the head of the NCCPIMTIP Naela Gabr highlighted Egypt’s effective role in combating the crimes of human trafficking and illegal migration.
Gabr said: "Egypt has been keen on joining the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its two protocols: the Protocol to Suppress, Prevent and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children and the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air."
"At the national level, Egypt has also been acting to suppress the two crimes through an effective legal framework consisting of the 2014 constitution and the laws on combating human trafficking and illegal migration," she added.
Gabr indicated that the Egyptian vision of how to combat the crimes of human trafficking and illegal migration is based on respecting the internationally-recognized principles of human rights.
She also underscored national strategies that include activities to raise public awareness, as well as training courses.
Gabr noted that development is the main pillar to help create jobs for youth and noted that alternative solutions have been made available, including through small and medium-sized enterprises.
The head of NCCPIMTIP further mentioned that awareness programs are meant to inform youth and their families about the risks of illegal migration, as well as human trafficking.
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