Addis Ababa, 12 June 2009 – “Lets prevent trafficking, protect victims of trafficking and prosecute those involved in trafficking”. This is the slogan used by the African Union Commission (AUC), to send a strong message to the international community and the African population within the continent and in the Diaspora, on the occasion of the Launch of the AUC Initiative against Trafficking (AU.COMMIT Campaign), scheduled to take place on Tuesday 16 June 2009, at 09:30 am, at the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Holding under the theme: “Let’s Combat Trafficking in Human Beings Especially Women and Children” The AU.COMMIT Campaign which coincides with the Day of African Child (DAC) ,observed every 16 June all over the continent, will feature the following activities:
a) Public address by key personalities and partner organizations supporting the AU.COMMIT Campaign;
b) A press conference by the Commissioner for Social Affairs of the African Union, Advocate Bience Gawanas;
c) Presentation of the AU.COMMIT Campaign Strategy, by Mr. Mehari Taddele Maru, Programme Coordinator for Migration, Department of Social Affairs, AU Commission
d) Exhibitions and film projection by the African Union Commission and partner organisations on the campaign against human trafficking; amongst others. Organised by the Department of Social Affairs of the African Union Commission, the AU.COMMIT campaign strategy documents will be implemented as part of the overall implementation of AU policies on migration and development, particularly the Ouagadougou Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, Especially Women and Children. AU.COMMIT Campaign strengthens the framework of the Plan of Action on Africa Fit for Children and the Call for Accelerated Action on the implementation of the Plan of Action towards Africa Fit for Children. The launching of the AU.COMMIT Campaign on this day therefore would reinforce the celebration of the DAC and focus on the elimination of trafficking in human beings especially women and children.
According to the organisers, the launch of AU.COMMIT Campaign is aimed at setting the pace for the fight against trafficking in human beings as a priority on the agenda of the continent.
The launch will sensitize Member States and Regional Economic Communities to put trafficking at the top of national agendas as well as enlighten policy makers and enforcement officials of Member States about the Ouagadougou Action Plan to combat trafficking in human beings, especially women and children.
Worth recalling that, at the centre of the AU.COMMIT Campaign is the implementation of the Ouagadougou Action Plan. The Ouagadougou Action Plan urges Member States and RECs to utilize the same action plan as a reference to develop and reform their policies and laws on trafficking in persons. It also requests the AUC in consultation with the International Organization for Migration and other relevant partners, to assist Member States and RECs with its implementation and development of a follow-up mechanism.
Participants at the launch of the AU-COMMIT Campaign shall include: the Regional Economic Communities (RECs); Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC); relevant authorities of the Ethiopian Government; development partners; members of diplomatic corps; international development organizations; INTERPOL (Addis Ababa); media outlets, NGOs; Economic, Culture and Social Council (ECOSOC); and departments of AU Commission amongst others.
Partners will include the International Organization for Migration (IOM), United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR), International Labour Organization (ILO), and UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), EU Delegation to African Union, and US Delegation to the African Union.
Background:
Recently, the fight against trafficking in human beings has gained more prominent place in the international and regional forums pertaining to global governance. This is particularly true with regard to the United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT) programme. In addition, the recent Sixth African Development Forum, jointly organized by the UN-Economic Commission for Africa, African Development Bank, and the African Union calls for the popularization and implementation of the Ouagadougou Action Plan. Similarly, the Africa-EU Strategic Partnership (Lisbon Action Plan) particularly the Africa-EU Partnership on Migration, Mobility and Employment calls for more action to combat trafficking in people.
Journalists are invited to cover the event.
For any arrangements of interviews, contact:
Ms. Esther Azaa
Tel. 0911 3611 85 E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Division of Communication and Information
Attached is the programme of the event.
AFRICAN UNION | UNION AFRICAINE | |
| UNIÃO AFRICANA | |
Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA P. O. Box 3243 Telephone: 5517700 Fax : 5517844Website: www. africa-union.org | ||
Launch of the AU.COMMIT Campaign
To Combat Trafficking in Human Beings: 2009-2012
AU Commission, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Tuesday June 16, 2009
PROGRAMME
Tuesday June 16, 2009
09:30-10:00 Registration
10:00-11:00 Launch Key Statements (10 minutes each)
· Welcoming Remarks by H.E Adv. Bience Gawanas, Commissioner for Social Affairs, AU Commission
· Remarks by H.E Major General Lungile C. Pepani, Ambassador of South Africa to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
· Statement by H.E Mrs. Zenebu Taddesse, State Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Children’s Show
· Remarks by H.E. Eng. Mahboub Maalim, Executive Secretary, Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
· Launching Statement by H.E Mr. Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission
11:00-11:05 Group Photo
11:05-11:35 Coffee Break (Press Conference)
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