The Blue Heart Campaign is a global United Nations initiative aimed at raising awareness of trafficking in human beings and promoting action to prevent the crime and protect victims. This year's campaign highlights the exploitation of victims who are coerced into committing online fraud, including phishing, romance scams and investment fraud. According to the campaign, criminal networks increasingly force victims to participate in such activities through threats, violence or psychological coercion.

The launch event brought together representatives of the FPS Justice, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the Social Information and Investigation Service (SIOD-SIRS), the specialised reception centre Sürya and the City of Namur. The campaign is carried out in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the specialised reception centres PAG-ASA, Payoke and Sürya, the Belgian National Rapporteur Myria, SIOD-SIRS and the FPS Foreign Affairs.

During the launch event, Minister of Justice Annelies Verlinden announced that the Federal Government is finalising a new National Action Plan to combat trafficking in human beings, which will place particular emphasis on addressing new forms of exploitation, strengthening the early identification of victims and enhancing cooperation between the authorities and relevant stakeholders. As part of the campaign, awareness-raising activities will take place across Belgium in the days leading up to the World Day against Trafficking in Persons.

The campaign also encourages citizens, professionals and public authorities to remain vigilant, as trafficking in human beings often goes undetected. Suspected cases of trafficking in human beings or exploitation can be reported via the national reporting platform www.stoptraite.be or by calling 078 055 800. 

For further information, please read the press release published by the FPS Justice (in French or in Dutch).