15 December 2014 - On the eve of the Human Rights Day, the newly appointed UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, especially women and children, Judge Giammarinaro, called on Philippine Ambassador  Cecilia B. Rebong, Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva.

Ambassador Rebong noted that many of the victims of trafficking are women and girls. Many of them are victims of trafficking for the purpose of labor exploitation. She emphasized that "stronger international cooperation and heightened coordination among states working together with other stakeholders are needed to combat the global trafficking menace."

Judge Giammarinaro said that she understands the challenges related to combating trafficking and is ready to tackle these challenges head on.

She said that it is her priority during her term of office of three years to look into the trafficking in conflict areas as well trafficking for the purposes of labor exploitation.

Philippine Mission in Geneva Minister Enrico T. Fos, focal person on human rights who joined the meeting, said that there are regional efforts to combat trafficking.

He noted the active engagement of the Philippines in the regional consultative process on trafficking, such as the Bali Process, and the ongoing efforts of the ASEAN to forge greater cooperation and coordination to implement the existing regional anti-trafficking agreement and  complement the ASEAN Declaration for the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers and Members of their Families.

The Philippines, together with Germany, are the main co-sponsors of the annual resolution on human rights and trafficking in persons at the UN Human Rights Council. Judge Giammarinaro was accompanied during her call on Ambassador Rebong by human rights officers from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Selma Vadala and Federica Donati. END