Egypt stresses renewed collective commitment to combat human trafficking, protect victims

CAIRO – 30 July 2026: Egypt on Thursday reaffirmed the importance of renewing the international community's collective commitment to combating human trafficking, prosecuting perpetrators, protecting victims and cutting off the illicit profits generated by criminal networks.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement to mark the World Day against Trafficking in Persons, observed annually by the United Nations on July 30.

This year's theme, "Trapped Behind the Scam," highlights the growing exploitation of trafficking victims by transnational organized crime groups in large-scale online financial fraud schemes, according to the UN.

 

In the statement, the ministry highlighted Egypt’s comprehensive approach to address the root causes of human trafficking, including poverty, unemployment, conflicts and irregular migration.

The approach is based on prevention, victim protection, law enforcement and strengthened national and international cooperation within Egypt's national vision on migration, the ministry stated.

This vision relies on promoting safe and regular migration pathways while firmly combating illegal migration and migrant smuggling and human trafficking networks.

The ministry added that Egypt continues to implement its obligations under the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.

Anti-Trafficking Legislation

At the national level, the statement highlighted Egypt's legislative and institutional framework to combat human trafficking.

It cited the enactment of the Anti-Trafficking Law in 2010, the Law on Combating Illegal Migration and Smuggling of Migrants in 2016, and the establishment of the National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Illegal Migration and Trafficking in Persons in 2017.

The ministry said the state has continued to strengthen the capacities of law enforcement agencies and judicial authorities, intensify training programs, adopt a victim-centered approach to combating trafficking, and implement awareness campaigns targeting groups most vulnerable to the crime.

The statement also highlighted Egypt's international cooperation in migration-related issues, particularly its partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to implement programs and initiatives aimed at combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

Among these initiatives is the Partnership to Counter Migrant Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons in Egypt (PACSOM), which is one of the UN agency's leading global programs.

Marking the occasion, Egypt renewed its call for enhanced international cooperation and closer coordination among countries as well as regional and international organizations.

It also called for greater support to strengthen the capacities of national institutions to dismantle organized criminal networks, protect victims, and address the root causes of human trafficking and illegal migration.

The ministry stressed that effectively combating human trafficking requires a coordinated international response based on shared responsibility, burden-sharing, stronger protection for victims and accountability for those responsible for the crime.