Joint Media Release
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, Minister for
Justice and Customs, Senator Chris Ellison, Minister for Immigration
and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, Philip Ruddock
12 December 2002
Australia Signs UN Protocol to Combat People Trafficking
Australia signed an important Protocol to the United Nations Convention
against Transnational Organised Crime in New York this morning (3pm
11 December New York time).
The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons,
especially Women and Children ('the People Trafficking Protocol')
aims to address a growing trend in transnational organised crime
to physically move people through deception, coercion or force for
the purpose of their exploitation.
While Australia already has strong measures in the Commonwealth
Criminal Code to criminalise trafficking in persons, the Protocol
strengthens international norms against people trafficking and provides
the basis for enhanced co-operation between States to combat this
crime.
The decision to sign the People Trafficking Protocol is part of
the Government's strategy to combat people trafficking through a
range of regional and international co-operative measures.
Australia has taken a lead on this issue through initiatives such
as the Bali Regional Ministerial Conference on People Smuggling,
Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime which Australia
co-chaired with Indonesia in February 2002.
The Protocol has been signed by 112 other countries, including key
regional partners in the fight against transnational organised crime.
Media inquiries: Chris Kenny (Mr Downer's office) 02 62777 500
/
Mairi Barton (Senator Ellison's office) 02 6277 7260 / Steve Ingram (Mr Ruddock's office) 02 62777 860
Local Date:
Tuesday, 22-May-2012 07:14:03 EST
