KLCC, Malaysia
21 November 2015

President Benigno S. Aquino III and his fellow leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) took part in the signing of the ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (ACTIP) on the first day of the 27th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The ACTIP establishes a legal framework for the ASEAN region to effectively address the issue of people smuggling and trafficking. Likewise, it demonstrates the political will and commitment of the ASEAN Member States to protect the victims of trafficking, as well as prevent and combat trafficking in persons within the region.

According to this year’s ASEAN Chair, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, “this is our resolve to nurture a community that protects and safeguards the well-being of our peoples.”

The objectives of the ACTIP include the following: prevent and combat trafficking in persons, especially women and children, and to ensure just and effective punishment of traffickers; protect and assist victims of trafficking in persons, with full respect for their human rights; and promote cooperation among the relevant parties in order to meet these objectives.

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