MFA LETTER TO THE SECRETARY ON TIP CONFERENCE

UNCLAS ABUJA 001865

SIPDIS


DEPT FOR S/S AND G/TIP -- AMB. NANCY ELY-RAPHEL


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM KWMN OTRA NI
SUBJECT: MFA LETTER TO THE SECRETARY ON TIP CONFERENCE


REF: ABUJA 1465


Embassy on June 20 received a letter from Foreign Minister
Lamido to Secretary Powell, dated June 6, 2002, inviting the
Secretary to participate in the August 1-3, 2002 Trafficking

SIPDIS
in Persons conference to be hosted by President Obasanjo in
Abuja. This TIP conference was reported in reftel. The
original and attached leaflet will be pouched to G/TIP, Attn:
Ambassador Nancy Ely-Raphel. The text of the letter follows.


Begin Text


Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Nigeria


June 6, 2002


General Colin Powell
Secretary of State

SIPDIS
State Department
U.S.A.


Invitation to Attend an International Summit on Human
Trafficking, Child Abuse, Labour and Slavery holding from
01-03 August 2002, Abuja, Nigeria


I wish to recall the various global efforts made towards the
eradication of human trafficking, culminating in the adoption
of the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish
Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. The
increasing incidence of human trafficking, child labour,
child abuse, slavery and, generally, organized crimes,
require collaborative network involving governments at the
national and international levels, international
organisations, non-governmental organisations and the civil
society. This has far reaching negative repercussions on the
economic, political, socio-cultural and moral well being of
our nations, particularly, the developing countries.



2. In order to sensitise the international community on the
evils of this inhuman trade, the Government of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, under the leadership of President
Olusegun Obasanjo, is organising a three-day international
Summit on the subject, to dispassionately look into the
phenomenon of human trafficking, child labour, abuse and
slavery. This would afford the Participants to critically
evaluate the problems associated with the phenomenon with a
view to engendering adequate global strategies to eliminate
the trade. This is reflected in the theme of the Summit:
"Combating Human Trafficking, Child Labour and Slavery
through International Cooperation and Legislation." The
Summit is scheduled to take place from 01-03 August 2002, at
the International Conference Center, Abuja, Nigeria.



3. The Summit has, among others, the following objectives:


(i) Identify and examine the magnitude, nature, patterns and
manifestations of human trafficking, child labour, child
abuse and slavery;


(ii) Examine the adverse implications of human trafficking
and child abuse on sustainable human development;


(iii) Exchange ideas and experience with Participants from
other countries and International Organisations, with a view
to developing national and regional frameworks for
international cooperation in combating the crime;


(iv) Develop strategies for the effective and efficient
prevention, control and punishment of the offenders.



4. On behalf of the President and People of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, I have the honour to invite you to
attend and participate at the Summit. Four representatives,
made up of the Head of State/Government, a Minister, and two
Experts are expected to attend the Summit from your country.
The Nigerian Government would extend hospitality to the Head
of State/Government and the Minister only.



5. The attached leaflet will provide an insight and relevant
background information on the Summit.



6. Please accept the assurances of my highest esteem.




(signed)
Sule Lamido
Minister of Foreign Affairs
and Chairman of the Summit Organising Committee


End Text.
ANDREWS