UNODC Launches New Action to Combat Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling

Introduction

• Date: 22 April 2024
• Location: Vienna, Austria
• Organization: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
• Purpose: Address the evolving challenges in human trafficking and migrant smuggling, highlighting the impact of global crises and the role of organized crime.

Background

• Human trafficking and migrant smuggling are lucrative, multi-billion-dollar industries.
• Recent global challenges influencing these crimes include:
  • War and armed conflicts
  • Large migration and refugee flows
  • Cybercrime
  • Climate change
  • COVID-19 pandemic
  • Financial crises

New UNODC Global Action

• Launches a global Action against Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling.
• Address the rapid evolution of digital technologies that exploit victims or promote smuggling services online.
• Links trafficking and smuggling to organized crime like:
  • Cybercrime
  • Money laundering
  • Drug and firearms trafficking
  • Corruption

Focus Areas

• Child Trafficking: Prioritize actions against child trafficking due to the high percentage of child victims (over 30%).
• Survivor Voices: Empower and give voice to human trafficking survivors.
• Vulnerable Migrants: Broaden protection scope to include vulnerable migrants and identify trafficking victims within migration flows.

Strategies

• Expand on-the-ground presence by deploying resident experts to high-need countries.
• Commit to sustainable development and gender equality.

UNODC’s Role and Achievements

• Leading organization in combating human trafficking and migrant smuggling for over 20 years.
• Based on protocols of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, with wide ratification:
  • 181 states for the Trafficking Protocol
  • 151 states for the Smuggling Protocol

Accomplishments

• Over a thousand technical, legal, and policy assistance activities in 120 countries.
• Trained over 35,000 anti-trafficking and anti-smuggling experts.
• Assisted in the investigation and prosecution of numerous cases.
• Supported many victims of these crimes.

Contact for Further Information

• Alejandra Silva
  • Public Information Officer
  • Email: alejandra.silvagarduno[at]un.org

Conclusion

• UNODC remains committed to eradicating human trafficking and migrant smuggling through comprehensive international cooperation and innovative strategies.