Ottawa, November 26: Human traffickers, beware! For the Canadian government is leaving no stone unturned to eliminate all chances of human trafficking during the Olympics slated to be held in Vancouver next year.
Revealing about the government’s efforts, Peter Van Loan, Canada’s Public Safety Minister, said at a news conference in Washington on Tuesday that human trafficking is, undoubtedly, the focus of the government’s attention. He added that Ottawa will remain free from the menace of human trafficking in the Olympics.
He assured that till now, there has been no evidence of any plans of human trafficking during the Olympics in Whistler and Vancouver.
“We have not seen any evidence of any special human trafficking plans that organized crime, say, might be utilizing around the Olympics, but it is a focus of our attention,” added Van Loan while briefing the media. He was accompanied by Janet Napolitano, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary.
Talking about the problem of human trafficking, Van Loan said that it’s not just the Olympics; human trafficking has been a problem for Canada at several special events.
The federal government has come into action after repeated warnings by several human rights groups for years saying the Olympic Games to be held at Vancouver were being targeted by human traffickers. These games will be held in February.
Seeing an imminent threat and to raise awareness about human trafficking in major international sports events, Salvation Army, a social welfare group in Vancouver, has been organizing numerous campaigns. Its not just ‘Salvation Army’ but a host of groups that have warned of an increase in the sex trade during such events.
Not just Canada, even U.S. is extending help to Canada to combat human trafficking during the Olympics. “There’s a very large, supportive operation in the U.S. to support Canada in the security of the Olympics,” revealed Napolitano.