PART A: RECOMMENDATIONS The following sets out our central recommendations. 1. THE NEED TO RATIFY • The Council would urge ratification by States of the Trafficking Protocol. Ratification of an instrument in which there have been global inputs provides clear norms and standards for all States to work towards the three-fold objective of this new international treaty, namely to prevent and combat trafficking, to assist the victims of trafficking and to promote cooperation among the party States to achieve these objectives. • A prominent feature of the Trafficking Protocol is that it is aspirational and its importance is that it builds upon existing international treaties, incorporating in one comprehensive document all presently conceived aspects of the problem, along with a humanitarian approach. • When an individual is a victim of trafficking, the nation State is also a victim. Ratification of the Trafficking Protocol would promote greater respect for human rights and help to combat what is a major social (and increasingly public health) problem in so much of the region. • Ratification of the Trafficking Protocol 2000 would be to the benefit of all States as it would facilitate a global network of co-operation and information sharing. Ratification would encourage countries of origin, of transit and of destination to recognise their role in the problem and its solution and to act accordingly. The prevalence of countries in which trafficking takes place in the Asia Pacific region amplifies the need for ratification of the Trafficking Protocol to ensure effective and timely regional cooperation. • Ratification of the Trafficking Protocol is also particularly important for all States with fewer or inadequate resources as it provides them with greater access to regional and global support in their fight against trafficking and related exploitation. 2. IMPLEMENTATION • Ratification is not an end in itself; the expectation is that legislative and administrative measures would follow and such measures need not await formal procedures involved in ratification. 5