World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2023

2023-07-30 21:23:31

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is celebrated on July 30 of each year. It was established by the General Assembly of the United Nations with the aim of raising awareness about this crime, denouncing it and promoting the protection of the rights of victims.

Reaching all victims of trafficking, leaving no one behind is the motto of the World Day against Trafficking in Persons of 2023. This day was established by the United Nations General Assembly by means of the Resolution A/RES/68/192 in 2013. The fundamental objective of this celebration is to raise awareness among people, and especially governments, about the serious problems that the expansion of this crime entails worldwide.

Human trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons through force, fraud, or deception for the purpose of exploitation. In all regions of the world, traffickers exploit vulnerable women, girls, men and boys from different backgrounds for profit. Traffickers often use violence, blackmail, emotional manipulation, withholding of official documents, fraudulent employment agencies, and false promises of education and job opportunities to deceive and coerce their victims.

Forced labor and sexual exploitation top the purposes of trafficking

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC for its acronym in English) indicates that the main purposes for which human trafficking occurs are the following:

38.8% forced labor.

38.7% sexual exploitation.

10, 3% mixed forms.

10.2% criminal activity.

0.9% forced marriages.

0.7% begging.

0.3% sale of babies.

0.2% organ removal.

through the campaign Blue Heart This organization alerts us to the sadness of those who suffer from trafficking, while reminding us of the insensitivity of those who buy and sell other human beings.

Global crises, wars and climate change increase the risk of trafficking

The risk of human trafficking is being intensified by various global crises, conflicts and the climate emergency. These events generate mass displacement and exacerbate socioeconomic inequalities, leaving millions of people vulnerable to exploitation by traffickers. People in precarious situations, such as those without legal status, those living in poverty, with limited access to education, health care, or decent employment, and those who experience discrimination, violence, or abuse, are especially susceptible to becoming in victims of trafficking. In addition, marginalized communities are also severely affected, becoming prime targets for traffickers.

The combination of these factors creates an environment ripe for traffickers to exploit and subject vulnerable people to modern forms of slavery and exploitation. It is crucial that the international community, governments and organizations work together and in a committed way to address the underlying causes of human trafficking and protect those most at risk. Awareness raising, education and the implementation of effective measures are essential to combat this heinous crime and protect the fundamental rights of all people.

10 findings on the current situation of trafficking in the world

Latest Global Report on Trafficking in Persons of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime calls on governments, law enforcement, public services and civil society to assess and improve their efforts to strengthen prevention, identify and support victims, and put an end to impunity. This report highlights ten findings regarding the recent situation of trafficking in the world:

In 2020, for the first time in 20 years, the number of detected victims worldwide decreased by 11%, as the pandemic limited opportunities and was able to make it take place in an even more clandestine way, while that limited the capabilities of law enforcement.

Trafficking for the purpose of sexual exploitation fell by 24% during the pandemic.

41% of victims manage to escape and contact the authorities on their own initiative. Fewer cases are initiated by law enforcement (28%), community members (11%) and civil society (9%)

In 2020, there was a 27% reduction in the number of convictions.

There is an increase in impunity in the countries of origin (Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia especially convict fewer traffickers), which translates into a greater number of victims of trafficking to more destinations.

Conflicts increase the number of victims of trafficking exploited within and outside crisis areas.

Climate change multiplies the risks of trafficking. In 2021 alone, 23.7 million people were internally displaced by weather-induced natural disasters, while many others crossed borders to escape weather-induced poverty.

The percentage of victims among boys and men is increasing as new forms of exploitation emerge.

Women and children suffer increased violence from traffickers. Female victims suffer at a rate three times higher than that of men, while children suffer physical or extreme violence at a rate almost twice that of adults.

Traffickers with a high level of organization exploit more victims, with more violence, and for longer periods of time. 46% of trafficking crimes are carried out by business organizations, 23% by governing-type organizations, 21% by opportunistic associations and 10% by individual traffickers.

UNODC carries out different initiatives to help combat this scourge, from educational campaigns in schools in the most disadvantaged areas, to the creation of a Voluntary Trust Fund for victims of human trafficking. It is precisely through the beneficiary organizations of this fund that it has been possible to give a second chance to some of the people who have been victims of trafficking, and whose testimonies can be found in the document Human Faces. Hear their stories. Help rebuild their lives.