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Human trafficking
is the acquisition of people by improper means such as force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them.
Smuggling migrants involves the procurement for financial or other material benefit of illegal entry of a person into a State of which that person is not a national or resident.
Virtually every country in the world is affected by these crimes. The challenge for all countries, rich and poor, is to target the criminals who exploit desperate people and to protect and assist victims of trafficking and smuggled migrants, many of whom endure unimaginable hardships in their bid for a better life.
As the only United Nations entity focusing on the criminal justice element of these crimes, the work that UNODC does to combat human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants is underpinned by the
United Nations Convention on Transnational Organized Crime and its protocols on trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling.
Learn more
To learn more visit What is human trafficking? and What is migrant smuggling?
Download UNODC's anti-trafficking and anti-smuggling Tools and Publications
Watch Public Service Announcements and listen to expert interviews here
To learn about the Global Initiative to fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT) visit the UN.GIFT website
Latest news
Subscribe to UNODC Human Trafficking News Feed
Subscribe to UNODC Migrant Smuggling News Feed
For more, visit our news and events page
18 January 2012 UNODC and London-based watchmakers in timely partnership to help victims of human trafficking
16 January 2012 India: Psychosocial care for women in shelter homes - a dire need for trafficking survivors
28 December 2011 Blue for good: fashion with a conscience for victims of human trafficking
21 December 2011 UNODC and IOM partner on an awareness seminar on consular services and human trafficking issues
20 December 2011 Lebanon joins the Blue Heart campaign against human trafficking
19 December 2011 New UNODC Issue Paper sheds light on smuggling of migrants by sea
02 December 2011 International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
17 November 2011 Voluntary reporting system on migrant smuggling in support of the Bali Process
03 November 2011 In-Depth Training Manual on smuggling of migrants now available online
01 November 2011 UNODC and UNHCR sign memorandum of understanding to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling
10 October 2011 UNODC launches first global database of human trafficking cases
23 September 2011 Working Group on Trafficking in October 2011
23 September 2011 Integrated and sustained efforts are key in ending human trafficking
20 September 2011 Expert Group Meeting on Migrant Smuggling by Sea
09 September 2011 Querétaro: the world's first 'Blue Heart City'
26 August 2011 Human Trafficking First Aid Kit for Law Enforcement Agencies released as a sample carry case
23 August 2011 Human Trafficking Training Film - Affected for Life - language versions available
22 August 2011 Model Law on Smuggling of Migrants available in Arabic - English - French - Russian - Spanish
04 August 2011 Reinforcing Mexico's response to human trafficking: President Calderón recognizes role of Blue Heart Campaign
27 July 2011 UN Postal Administration wins "best stamps" award for highlighting human trafficking and child labour issues
21 July 2011 Training Workshop for Egyptian Police Officers on Combating Trafficking in Persons
15 July 2011 India's journey of hope: UNODC showcases inspiring initiatives to fight human trafficking
20 June 2011 Protect human rights and workers' rights to end labour exploitation
08 June 2011 UNODC holds a Training Workshop for Egyptian Prosecutors on Investigating and Prosecuting Migrant Smuggling
30 May 2011 The role of organized crime in the smuggling of migrants from West Africa to the European Union
12 May 2011 Countering migrant smuggling in South-East Asia
28 April 2011 Legal and Policy Review: Responses to Human Trafficking in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka
14 April 2011 Bangkok (Thailand) Goodwill Ambassador and Thai anti-human trafficking champion tell of UN small grant opportunity for NGOs
11 April 2011 Side Event on Trafficking for Forced Labour and Labour Exploitation
11 April 2011 Crime Commission to address protection of children from exploitation on the web
06 April 2011 Issue Paper - Transnational Organized Crime in the Fishing Industry
05 April 2011 Ministers welcome UNODC assistance in establishing a reporting system on migrant smuggling
25 March 2011 Remembering the victims of slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
09 March 2011 Experts meet in Vienna to discuss the involvement of Transnational Organized Crime in the Fishing Industry
08 March 2011 Hollywood actress and United Nations launch fund for human trafficking victims
17 February 2011 Model Law against the Smuggling of Migrants now available online in French
17 February 2011 UNODC provides regular training at NATO School on Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants and their impact on security
26 January 2011 Final Expert Group Meeting to draft In-depth Training Manual on Investigating and Prosecuting Migrant Smuggling held in Pretoria
21 January 2011 Joining forces to fight a deadly business: UNODC hosts workshop to address the common challenges of migrant smuggling
19 January 2011 UNODC Anti-Trafficking Tools: Impact in Central America/ UNODC Manuales contra la trata de personas: Impacto en América Central
10 January 2011 Appropriate Legal Responses to Combating Trafficking in Persons in Afghanistan now available online
04 January 2011 Rani: an unwavering advocate for freedom from slavery and human trafficking
20 December 2010 Workshop on Combating Money Laundering Related to Human Trafficking in Sana'a
17 December 2010 On Migrants Day, UNODC unveils tools to help States address plight of smuggled and trafficked victims
13 December 2010 International Organizations United against Trafficking in Persons
11 December 2010
Private sector crucial in fight against human trafficking
09 November 2010 Basic Training Manual on Investigating and Prosecuting the Smuggling of Migrants now available online in Spanish
08 December 2010 A Compendium of Best Practices: UNODC launches Toolkit to Combat Smuggling of Migrants
02 December 2010 Addressing Trafficking in Persons since 1949
01 December 2010 Developing & Strengthening National Legislation: UNODC launches the Model Law against the Smuggling of Migrants
18 November 2010 UNODC Head highlights increasing progress and support for UN Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking
17 November 2010 An Exploration of Promising Practices in Response to Human Trafficking
11 November 2010 A United Voice to the Protection of Migrants
05 November 2010 Experts discuss interventions and recommendations to improve access to compensation for trafficked persons
04 November 2010 Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher join Secretary-General to launch Trust Fund for victims of human trafficking
04 November 2010 Basic Training Manual on Investigating and Prosecuting the Smuggling of Migrants now available online in Russian
28 October 2010 Side Event on the Arab Initiative to combat human trafficking
11 October 2010 Narrowing the knowledge gap on migrant smuggling in Cambodia
06 October 2010 Strengthening law enforcement capacity in investigating and prosecuting perpetrators of migrant smuggling
04 October 2010 Bangkok Statement on Migration and Development calls for reducing impunity of migrant smugglers and human traffickers
27 September 2010 India: A pledge and a commitment for safe and honorable tourism
23 September 2010 International community broadens efforts to help victims of human trafficking
15 September 2010 India: the bond of freedom. Interview with Mr Saju Mathew, National Director, International Justice Mission, India
08 September 2010 In Colombia, beauty pageant contestants get involved in fighting human trafficking
01 September 2010 United Nations launches global plan of action against human trafficking
19 August 2010 UNODC South Asia - India: Freedom Express - a girl rescued from the brothels boards train to return home
13 August 2010 UNODC boosts Cambodian border control capacity
10 August 2010
Basic Training Manual on Investigating and Prosecuting the Smuggling of Migrants now available online in Arabic
09 August 2010 Needs Assessment Toolkit on the Criminal Justice Response to Human Trafficking now available online in Chinese and Russian
04 August 2010 Indonesia to participate in reviewing implementation of the Organized Crime Convention
12-13 July 2010 Senior Experts meet in Vienna to discuss first draft of the International Framework for Action to Implement the Migrant Smuggling Protocol
06 July 2010
UNODC launches Literature Review to discuss the Smuggling of Migrants into, through and from North Africa
01 July 2010 UNODC launches Basic Training Manual on Investigating and Prosecuting the Smuggling of Migrants
28- 30 June 2010 UNODC hosts an expert group meeting (EGM) to address trafficking in persons for the purpose of organ removal
28 June 2010 UNODC announces the launch of the Needs Assessment Toolkit on the Criminal Justice Response to Human Trafficking
10 June 2010
UNODC Launches Global Review on Migrant Smuggling
26 to 27 May 2010 Capacity building workshop on investigating and prosecuting migrant smuggling held in Burkina Faso
19 May 2010 What do we know about the involvement of organized crime in the trafficking of persons and smuggling of migrants? An update: Panel discussion held during a side event to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.
14 May 2010 What do we know about the involvement of transnational organized crime in the trafficking of persons and smuggling of migrants?
12 May 2010 Tamil Nadu, India: The female face of migration Read the story of Raziya and Suneetha, whose husbands migrated without them
5 May 2010 Tamil Nadu, India: Different faces of migration Read the story of 26 year old Murugesh, whose dreams of a better life far from home were shattered.
15 - 16 April 2010 12th United Nations Crime Congress addresses migrant smuggling and human trafficking
14 April 2010 Mexico takes lead in launching national campaign against human trafficking
11 - 19 April 2010 Substantive items related to trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants at upcoming Crime Congress in Brasil
8 April 2010 Cambodia Participates in Regional Data Collection and Analysis on Migrant Smuggling
1 April 2010 UNODC Migrant Smuggling Issue Papers launched online
1 April 2010 Parliamentarians unite against organized crime, Bangkok, Thailand
26 March 2010 Read Munni's story in My life in the red lights of Sonagachi, India
22 - 23 March 2010 The Arab Initiative to combat human trafficking launched in Doha
6 - 8 March 2010 Six countries meet to increase international cooperation against human trafficking and migrant smuggling in Kolkata, India
22 - 25 February 2010 Training Workshop on investigating and prosecuting migrant smuggling held in Abuja, Nigeria
19 February 2010 Toolkit to Combat Trafficking in persons now available in Arabic.
11 February 2010 Trafficking survivors in India earn their livelihood as security guards
27 - 29 January 2010 Expert panelists address Working Group on Trafficking in Persons
28 January 2010 UNODC Technical Assistance briefing, in the sidelines of the Second Meeting of the Working Group on Trafficking in Persons
27 January 2010 Vienna launch of the International Framework for Action to Implement the Trafficking in Persons Protocol, in the sidelines of the Second Meeting of the Working Group on Trafficking in Persons
27 - 29 January 2010 Second Meeting of the Working Group on Trafficking in Persons to be held in Vienna Information for Participants can be found here
26 - 29 January 2010 UNODC jointly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece, hosts a regional conference on transnational organized crime, particularly migrant smugging by sea in the Mediterranean.
26 - 27 January 2010 Capacity building workshop for magistrates and law enforcers under Impact Project
14 January 2010 Community and police come together in India against trafficking of women and children
7 - 11 December 2009 Regional Training Workshop on Investigating and Prosecuting Migrant Smuggling held in Abuja, Nigeria
7-9 December 2009 International Expert Group Meeting on Migrant Smuggling by Air in Vienna, Austria
7-9 December 2009 Expert Group Meeting to Review the Model Law on Combating the Smuggling of Migrants in Cairo, Egypt
25 November 2009 In commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November, UNODC Regional Office for South Asia contributes stories on the life of women suffering different forms of violence
24 - 26 November 2009 Regional Workshop to Finalize Guidelines on International Legal Cooperation Instruments in the Area of Anti-Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants held in Belgrade, Serbia
23 - 25 November 2009 ASEAN Workshop on International Legal Cooperation on Trafficking in Persons Cases
4 November 2009 United Nations Secretary-General addresses Global Forum on Migration and Development
3 November 2009 UNODC promotes international cooperation to prevent and combat trafficking in persons in Mexico and Central America
27 - 30 October 2009 Training based on finalised anti-migrant smuggling manual piloted under the Impact Project
19 October 2009 UNODC launches 'Affected for Life' training film
9 October 2009 Launch of the International Framework for Action to Implement the Trafficking in Persons Protocol in New York.
30 September - 2 October 2009 Workshop to Develop Guidelines on International Legal cooperation Instruments in the area of anti-human trafficking and migrant smuggling held in Budva, Montenegro.
18 September 2009 Today, ILO, UNICEF and Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT) launched the 'Training manual to fight trafficking in children for labour, sexual and other forms of exploitation
28 August 2009 Launch of UN anti-trafficking training manual in Bangkok
7 August 2009 Unprecendented Court of Women hears testimonies from the trafficked and sexually exploited
3 - 4 August Regional Workshop on the Role of NGOs in Preventing the Smuggling of Migrants
29 July 2009 UNODC Toolkit to Combat Trafficking in Persons now available in French
16 July 2009 Mexico and UNODC to launch the Blue Heart Campaign in early 2010
15 - 16 July Experts support draft law to combat migrant smuggling in Côte d'Ivoire
11 July 2009 President Obama praises conviction of human traffickers in Ghana
6 - 7 July 2009 Workshop on International Criminal Justice Cooperation in response to Migrant Smuggling held in Cairo, Egypt
30 June 2009 UNODC launches Model Law against Trafficking in Persons
22 - 24 June 2009 Final Expert Group Meeting to Elaborate UNODC Basic Training Modules on Preventing and Combating Migrant Smuggling held in Abuja, Nigeria
16 June 2009 African Union launches AU.COMMIT, an initiative to fight human trafficking in Africa.
12 June 2009 Council of the Baltic Sea States launches new website with information about Joint Project between the Task Force against Trafficking in Human Beings (TF-THB) and UNODC
22 May 2009 UNODC and European Commission Partnership to Promote implementation of Trafficking in Persons Protocol and Migrant Smuggling Protocol
19 May 2009 New York gallery displays children's art on human trafficking
5-7 May 2009 UNODC Regional Office in Central Asia in coordination with the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan holds workshop on International and national mechanisms of combating human trafficking and protection of victims of human trafficking
April 2009 UNODC and UKHTC (United Kingdom Human Trafficking Centre) enter into strategic partnership
20 April 2009 New Publication on Migrants Smuggling
8 April 2009 The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and UNODC, in the framework of the Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT), launched the publication Combating Trafficking in Persons: A Handbook for Parliamentarians
25 March 2009
Expert Group Meeting on Migrant Smuggling Training Material
25 March 2009 Joint programme meeting in Serbia
5 March 2009, UNODC Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa launches the Blue Heart Campaign against Human Trafficking.
To read about the launch of the Blue Heart Campaign, click here.
To join the Blue Heart Campaign, visit the Blue Heart website.
26 February 2009, UNODC launches regional assessment on penal prosecution capacities to investigate trafficking in persons in Central America
23 to 25 February 2009 , UNODC hosts fourth meeting on Enhancing Operational Capacity to Invest and Disrupt Human Trafficking Activities in the Western Balkans
12 February 2009, UNODC launches Global Report on Trafficking in Persons.
12 February 2009, Academy Award-winning actress Mira Sorvino appointed UNODC Goodwill Ambassador to Combat Human Trafficking
29 January 2009, UNODC anti-trafficking public service announcements available online.
18 December 2008, UNODC launches Online Toolkit to Combat Trafficking in Persons.
30 November - 3 December 2008, UNODC holds Expert Group Meeting to Elaborate Basic Training Modules on Preventing and Combating the Smuggling of Migrants
15 November 2008, UNODC Regional Office for South Asia holds Colloquium on Justice Delivery in India
20 October 2008, UNODC released report on trafficking in Lebanon
15 October 2008, UNODC hosts event to discuss challenges in the delivery of technical assistance
9 October 2008, UNODC releases new Toolkit to combat Trafficking in Persons
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