Take coordinated international action to combat human trafficking. This is the message that the President of the Republic wanted to convey on the occasion of World Day Against Human Trafficking, which took place yesterday, July 30. "The heinous form of exploitation, akin to slavery, exemplified by human trafficking is still prevalent in contemporary international affairs, so much so that it prompted the United Nations Organization ten years ago to establish a special World Day to combat it," the head of state stated. "Trafficking is a serious violation of human rights, and defeating it requires a decisive and supportive response from the international community, as well as the commitment of the countries affected by the phenomenon, with the involvement of multilateral bodies, public awareness, and civil society. To protect the children, women, and men who are trafficked every year, it is necessary to prosecute traffickers and address the underlying causes that drive entire populations to abandon their homelands, entrusting their lives to unscrupulous individuals. Bringing peace where there are conflicts, creating opportunities for social and economic growth where there is poverty and a lack of prospects help to eliminate the conditions that allow human trafficking to occur." Mattarella ended his statement by saying, "Italy supported the adoption of the additional protocol of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and remains fully committed to preventing, repressing, and punishing human trafficking." His statement comes on the same day that the captain of a fishing boat and three crew members were apprehended for maritime piracy on the Mediterranean migration route between Tunisia and Sicily. Their boat was impounded. The investigations were carried out by the Agrigento mobile team, the Guardia di Finanza, and the Lampedusa Coast Guard, while the judge for the preliminary investigations in Agrigento has already confirmed the detention and pre-trial detention in prison for the four Tunisian fishermen. Investigators believe they were responsible for piracy against migrant boats traveling from Sfax to Italy.
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