UNITED NATIONS (CMC) — The United Nations, emphasising that the practice of slavery still plagues modern society, marked its first-ever World Day against Trafficking in Persons by calling on the international community to end impunity for perpetrators.

The UN Wednesday also called for help for victims, especially women and children, who continue to be particularly vulnerable to the perfidious trade.

“Most of those trafficked are vulnerable women and children deceived into a life of suffering. They are exploited for sex and forced to work in conditions akin to slavery,” said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in a statement.

The UN said millions of people — women, men and children — are trafficked, sold and forced to work in sweatshops, fields and brothels.

The global body said the purposes of trafficking in persons range from forced and bonded labor to various forms of sexual exploitation, forced marriage, organ removal and other contemporary practices similar to slavery.

Ban urged countries that have not yet done so, to ratify and fully implement the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and its Protocol on Trafficking in Persons.

He said it is especially imperative to send a message of hope to survivors, emphasising the need to support the Trust Fund for the Victims of Trafficking in Persons- established by the UN General Assembly in 2010 in line with the Global Plan of Action to tackle trafficking.