Trafficking in Persons & Smuggling of Migrants:
UNODC's role in addressing themSteve Thurlow
Organized Crime and Illicit Trafficking Branch, Vienna
Smuggling of Migrants Protocol and Trafficking in Persons Protocolsupplementing
the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime
Promote global adherence
Assist States in Implementing UNTOC + Protocols
Legislation Criminal justice response
UNODC
Evidence-based knowledge
Purpose of the Protocols
SOM Protocol(Article 2)
• Prevent and combat migrant smuggling
• Protect the rights of smuggling migrants
• Promote cooperation• Prosecute offenders
TIP Protocol(Article 2)
• Prevent and combat trafficking in persons
• Protect and assist victims of trafficking
• Promote cooperation• Prosecute offenders
Compare & ContrastCompare & ContrastSmuggling of Migrants (SoM) v. Smuggling of Migrants (SoM) v. Trafficking in Human Beings (THB)Trafficking in Human Beings (THB)
Consent Exploitation Border Crossing
SoM Required Not required Required
THB Becomes irrelevant Required Not required
Trafficking Trends
• Human trafficking affects every country of the world, as countries of origin, transit or destination;
• Sexual exploitation the most commonly identified form of human trafficking (79%) followed by forced labour (18%);
• Disproportionate number of women are involved in human trafficking both as victims and as culprits.
14,90913,127
12,12211,706
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
14,000
16,000
2003 2004 2005 2006
Num
ber o
f vic
tims
offic
ially
iden
tifie
d
Total number of victims identified by State authorities in 71 selected countries
VICTIMS DETECTED
TREND:The capacity to detect victims has increased (+27% victims detected globally)
Source: UNODC/UN.GIFT
Global Report TIP, 2009:
Prevention and Awareness-Raising
Data Collection and Research
Legislative Assistance
Strategic Planning and Policy Development
Criminal Justice System Responses
Victim Protection and Support
- TIP and SOM Model laws
- Victim centered approach (supported within all 23 TIP technical assistance projects)
- Promotion of Law enforcement – NGO cooperation
International Cooperation
• Regional workshops & Handbook on International Cooperation in TIP cases– Balkans; East Asia; Central Asia
• United Nations Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT)
• Alliance against Trafficking in Persons, OSCE• Global Migration Group • Inter-Agency Cooperation Group Against Trafficking in
Persons (ICAT)• Regional organizations• Non governmental organizations