Singapore Accedes to the United Nations Trafficking in Persons Protocol

1. Singapore acceded to the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (UN TIP Protocol) on 28 September 2015. The instrument of accession, signed by Minister for Foreign Affairs K Shanmugam, was deposited at the UN Treaty Event in New York held from 28 September to 1 October 2015.

2. The UN TIP Protocol supplements the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UNTOC). It seeks to prevent and combat trafficking in persons (TIP), protect and assist trafficked victims, and promote cooperation among States Parties.  Singapore's accession to the UN TIP Protocol affirms its commitment to combat TIP.

3. Since the Singapore Inter-Agency Taskforce on Trafficking in Persons was set up in 2010, it has made significant progress in implementing the National Plan of Action (NPA) to combat TIP through a "4P" strategy of Prevention, Prosecution, Protection and Partnership . The accession to the UN TIP Protocol is a key deliverable of the NPA, and follows the enactment of the Prevention of Human Trafficking Act on 1 March 2015.

4. Mr Marvin Sim, Co-chair of the Taskforce and Senior Director, Joint Operations Group, Ministry of Home Affairs, said: "Accession to the UN TIP Protocol represents Singapore's commitment to combat all forms of trafficking in persons. This is an important step towards stronger cooperation with international law enforcement agencies in fighting this transnational crime. At the same time, we will continue to work closely with domestic partners to raise public awareness, strengthen enforcement, and enhance the provision of care to trafficked victims."

Issued by:

Singapore Inter-Agency Taskforce on Trafficking in Persons

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr Chee Wee Kiong (L) deposited Singapore’s Instrument of Accession to the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (UN TIP Protocol) with Chief of the UN Treaty Section Mr Santiago Villalpando (R) at the UN Treaty Event on 28 September 2015