A/HRC/RES/26/8 Taking note of the decision of the General Assembly to declare 30 July World Day against Trafficking in Persons,1 Taking note also of the Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and Human Trafficking2 and the commentary thereto developed by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Recalling the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons and Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice resolution 20/3 of 15 April 2011, Recognizing the concern expressed by the Human Rights Committee, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, the Committee on the Rights of the Child and the Committee against Torture at the persistence of trafficking and the vulnerability of trafficked persons to human rights violations and abuses, Affirming that trafficking in persons violates and impairs or nullifies the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, continues to pose a serious challenge to humanity and requires a concerted international assessment and response and genuine multilateral, regional and bilateral cooperation among countries of origin, transit and destination for its eradication, Recognizing that victims of human trafficking are exposed to multiple forms of discrimination and violence, including on the grounds of gender, age, race, disability, ethnicity, culture and religion, as well as national or social origin or other status, and that these forms of discrimination may themselves fuel trafficking in persons, Acknowledging that poverty is an important factor in making persons vulnerable to trafficking, Recognizing that persons without nationality or birth registration are particularly vulnerable to trafficking, Noting with concern that some of the demand fostering sexual exploitation, exploitative labour and the illegal removal of organs is met by trafficking in persons, Bearing in mind that all States have an obligation to exercise due diligence to prevent trafficking in persons, to investigate instances of trafficking and punish perpetrators, to rescue victims and to provide for their protection and access to remedies, and that not doing so violates and impairs or nullifies the enjoyment of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of victims, Recognizing the importance of the work of the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, in the prevention and promotion of and global fight against human trafficking and in promoting awareness of and upholding the human rights of victims of trafficking, Welcoming the cooperation of those States that have accepted requests for visits by the Special Rapporteur and have responded to her requests for information, Acknowledging with interest the work of the Special Rapporteur in drafting the basic principles on the right to an effective remedy for victims of trafficking, as annexed to the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,3 and taking note with interest of the regional and global consultations conducted by the Special Rapporteur with 1 2 3 2 General Assembly resolution 68/192. E/2002/68/Add.1. A/HRC/26/18.