Regional Workshop on Prevention Strategies to combat Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children: Enhancing Access to Information and Community-based Protection System, 21-22 June 2018, Ha Noi, Viet Nam

The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) convened the “Regional Workshop on Prevention Strategies to combat Trafficking in Persons (TIP), Especially Women and Children: Enhancing Access to Information and Community-based Protection System” in Ha Noi, Việt Nam on 21-22 June 2018. The workshop brought about 60 participants from the AICHR, ASEAN relevant sectoral bodies (ACWC, SOMSWD, SOMTC), the ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN Member States’ line Ministries/Agencies, relevant UN agencies (the UN Women, UNODC, UN-ACT, IOM), international organizations (Australia-Asia Program to combat TIP (AAPTIP), Asia Foundation), CSO with consultative relationship with AICHR, regional experts and other relevant stakeholders.

This Workshop was part of the AICHR’s continued effort to promote a comprehensive regional approach to combat TIP, particularly focused on TIP prevention strategies. The Workshop provided an avenue for participants to discuss on the international and regional legal and policy frameworks on anti-TIP, especially women and children, the human rights-based, people-centered and multi-stakeholder approach in the development and implementation of TIP prevention strategies as well as challenges and the ways forward to enhance regional cooperation on the agenda.

H.E. Ambassador Pham Sanh Chau, Assistant Minister of Foreign affairs of Viet Nam, in his opening remarks highlighted Viet Nam’s commitment to the fight against TIP and called on States to build on the momentum achieved to mobilize greater actions and resources to concertedly fight against this crime, with a view to making significant contribution to the realization of the ASEAN Community and the UN 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development Goals.

Over the course of the two-day workshop, the resource persons and participants have highlighted: (i) the proper use of ICTs and social media to share information, identify victims, educate and raise awareness on TIP; (ii) the role of community-based systems in identifying and providing supports to TIP victims; (iii) the need for information campaigns that target specific audiences and respond to particular needs of each local community (iv) the need to address root causes of TIP and (v) the importance of regional/international cooperation as well as the engagement of all relevant stakeholders in society as a driving-force to move forward the agenda.

This Workshop was organized by AICHR-Viet Nam, with supports from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam, the AICHR, the ASEAN-U.S. PROGRESS, the Australian Government, and the Embassy of Turkey in Hanoi.