UNITED NATIONS EXPERT ON TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS TO VISIT JAPAN

8 July 2009


The Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children, Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, will visit Japan from 12 to 17 of July 2009, at the invitation of the Government, as part of her activities to monitor efforts to combat human trafficking in countries around the world.

“Trafficking continues to pose a serious challenge to humanity and requires a concerted international assessment and response through genuine multilateral cooperation among countries of origin, transit and destination in order to be eradicated”, stressed the United Nations expert.

In Japan, Ms. Ngozi Ezeilo will focus on the role of the Government in curbing trafficking, given its status as a developed country in the region and a destination country for people from various countries, especially its neighbours.

The Special Rapporteur hopes that the visit will allow her to examine regional and international cooperation mechanisms, which are imperative for effectively fighting trafficking in persons, especially women and children.

In the course of the week, Ms. Ngozi Ezeilo will visit Tokyo and Nagoya. The Special Rapporteur looks forward to a constructive dialogue with the Government of Japan and other stakeholders during her mission.

At the end of her visit, Ms. Ngozi Ezeilo will hold a press conference, where she will present her preliminary conclusions. The press conference will take place on 17 July at 3 p.m. at the Japan National Press Club. The Special Rapporteur will present an official report of the visit at a forthcoming session of the Human Rights Council at the beginning of 2010.


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For use of information media; not an official record