United Nations’ Global Response to Human Trafficking

CAPE TOWN – This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Palermo Convention, a gathering of the United Nations that defined the world’s response to human trafficking.

The convention, adopted by the UN General Assembly represented a major step in the fight against transnational organized crime especially the prevention, suppression, and punishment of trafficking in persons.

According to the UN, the trafficking response protocol developed in Palermo was the first global legally binding instrument with an agreed definition on trafficking in persons.

“The intention behind this definition is to facilitate convergence in national approaches with regard to the establishment of domestic criminal offences that would support efficient international cooperation in investigating and prosecuting trafficking in persons cases. An additional objective of the Protocol is to protect and assist the victims of trafficking in persons with full respect for their human rights,” said the UN.

It is estimated that 40.3 million people are trapped in this modern-day slavery, with women and girls accounting for more than 70 percent of detected human trafficking victims.

A report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) reveals that globally, the trade brings criminals $150 billion annually ( R2 trillion)

To read the full story by Rudolf Nkgadima on Independant Online: Click Here

Category: United Nations