[child-rights] UNICEF calls for increased efforts to prevent trafficking of children

NEW YORK, 16 June 2007 -- UNICEF marked the Day of the African Child
(http://www.hrea.org/feature-events/african-child-day.php) today by
supporting the African Union’s call to increase efforts to prevent
child trafficking.

"Globally, an estimated 1.2 million children are trafficked each year,
within countries as well as across borders," said UNICEF Executive
Director Ann M. Veneman. "Children are trafficked into prostitution, into
armed groups to serve as child soldiers, to provide cheap or unpaid
labour, and to work as house servants or beggars.

"Trafficking exposes children to violence, sexual abuse, severe neglect,
and HIV infection. It violates their right to be protected, to grow up in
a family environment, and to have access to education," she added.

UNICEF is calling on governments, communities and families to work
together to end trafficking.

One element in this collective approach must be the punishment of the
perpetrators. Human trafficking generates an estimated $9.5 billion a
year, attracting organized criminal gangs and leading to corruption on a
global scale. The profits from human trafficking fuel other criminal
activities.

But concerted action is also needed to tackle the social and economic
factors behind this crime.

Poverty is central to child trafficking. Children are frequently lured
with promises of good jobs in other countries or in cities in their own
countries. In reality they are traded like commodities to work in brutal
conditions and many children face beatings and other forms of physical and
sexual abuse from their employers.

Achieving the Millennium Development Goals will help families stay
together and keep children in school. These are vital safeguards against
child trafficking.

UNICEF Press release