250 experts on human trafficking from 34 countries across Europe heard these opening remarks in Warsaw, Poland today.
Ingvild Næss Stub, State Secretary to the Minister of EEA and EU Affairs in Norway added:
“Human trafficking affects all our countries. It fuels organised crime and the drugs trade, and it harms our citizens. But worst of all, it destroys the lives of many, stripping them of their freedom and their dignity.”
Most of the participants work in the field of combating trafficking. They are meeting here for two days to share their own experiences and discuss what needs to be done to tackle this modern-day slavery.
‘Putting victims first’, is the name of the conference. Protecting and promoting the rights of the victims is on the two days agenda.
“We need to work together against human trafficking. It is important that we use events like this to forge strong links and learn from each other,” said Ingvild Næss Stub.
The conference is supported by the EEA and Norway Grants and organised in cooperation with the International Organization of Migration, the Council of Europe and the Polish Ministry of Interior. In his opening remarks, State Secretary Piotr Stachańczyk underlined that Poland is also strongly committed to preventing and combating trafficking.
Addressing the importance of getting involved in combating trafficking, Marja Ruotanen, Director of Justice and Human Dignity at the Council of Europe quoted Nelson Mandela:
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”