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IOM, Philippine Consulate Host Hong Kong Training for Diplomats on Identifying Human Trafficking Victims

Hong Kong SAR – IOM, the UN Migration Agency, in collaboration with the Philippine Consulate General, is today hosting a two-day training for diplomats and consular staff in Hong Kong on identifying and investigating human trafficking cases. Over 30 Hong Kong-based diplomats, many from countries of origin, including the Philippines, Cambodia, Colombia, Sri Lanka and Thailand are participating.

Modern-day slavery remains a major global challenge, with an estimated 40.3 million victims in 2016. More than half of modern slavery victims in the Asia-Pacific region are suffering debt bondage, the highest rate for any region of the world.

Diplomatic and consular personnel play a prominent role in eliminating human trafficking since they are often the first contact point between the victims and the authorities in their country of origin. The goal of the workshop is to share experience and knowledge about human trafficking, and help participants to acquire the skills needed for victim identification and assistance.

“We welcome the Hong Kong SAR government’s Action Plan and its pledge to combat trafficking in persons. This workshop is important because it brings together representatives of government, the diplomatic community and international agencies to work towards the eradication of human trafficking in Hong Kong,” said IOM Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Dr. Nenette Motus.

She added, “It will improve victim identification and investigation on the frontline and extend protection to many victims of modern slavery victims who currently remain unidentified.”

“With more than 10 million Overseas Filipino Workers deployed worldwide, the Philippines has long been committed to and has taken action to combat trafficking in persons. As a signatory of the Palermo Protocol and with anti-trafficking mechanisms and laws in place, the Philippines is partnering with the diplomatic and consular community, international organizations and other stakeholders to collectively address this issue,” said Philippines Consul General Antonio A. Morales.

“This training workshop aims to strengthen collaboration among the consular corps in the Territory and other diplomatic missions abroad in identifying and addressing trafficking cases. We look forward to more similar initiatives and to working together in resolving this global problem,” he added.

For more information please contact Nurul Qoiriah at IOM China’s Hong Kong sub-office, Tel: 2332 2441, Email: nqoiriah@iom.int. Or Roderico C. Atienza at the Philippines Consulate General in Hong Kong, Tel: 2823 8538, Email: roderico.atienza@dfa.gov.ph