United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

News and Events

25 November 2009

25 of November 2009 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. UNODC's Regional Office for South Asia commemorates this event by contributing stories on the lives of women suffering from different forms of violence

Reena (not her real name) was forced to work in the sex trade for 15 years until she was rescued. Astha (also not her real name) talks about being trafficked as a child, forced to weave carpets for eight years until she was rescued and went on to become an outreach worker. Both Reena and Astha share their stories of violence, survival and recovery.

Read more here

11 November 2009

The Role of Corruption in Trafficking in Persons, Side event to the third Session of the Conference of the State Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, Doha 9-13 November 2009.

At the recent Conference of the State Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption, UNODC and Transparency International jointly organised a side event session on 'The Role of Corruption in Trafficking in Persons', which took place on 11 November 2009.

4 November 2009

United Nations Secretary-General comments on dangers of human trafficking and migrant smuggling in his address to the Global Forum on Migration and Development

In addressing the Global Forum on Migration and Development in Athens, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the positive contributions made by migration around the world, but underlined the dangers of human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

Read more here

3 November 2009

UNODC promotes international cooperation to prevent and combat trafficking in persons in Mexico and Central America

Mexico City, Mexico and San Jose, Costa Rica

Read more here

27 - 30 October 2009

Rabat, Morocco

Training based on finalised anti-migrant smuggling manual piloted under the Impact Project

Read more here

19 October 2009

Launch of the training film Affected for Life

9 October 2009

New York, United States of America

Launch of the International Framework for Action to Implement the Trafficking in Persons Protocol

The International Framework for Action to Implement the Trafficking in Persons Protocol was launched at the United Nations in New York today. Attending the launch was Ms. Doris Buddenburg, UNODC/UN.GIFT, as well as the UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Ms. Joy Ezeilo and Mr. Mohammed Mattar, Research Professor of Law and Executive Director of The Protection Project, Johns Hopkins University.

The International Framework for Action is a technical assistance tool that supports United Nations Member States in the effective implementation of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (United Nations Trafficking Protocol), supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC).

The International Framework for Action came about as a result of the Government of France requesting that UNODC provide its support and expertise to analyze all aspects of existing national and regional anti-human trafficking policy and coordination mechanisms in order to support improved implementation of the Trafficking in Persons Protocol. UNODC undertook a desk review of existing instruments, strategies and plans of action (both national and regional) to combat trafficking in persons. It has also reviewed Member States' reports on the implementation of the Trafficking in Persons Protocol and reports of the Chief Executives Board on the role of the United Nations entities and other relevant organizations.

Ms Buddenburg stressed that the International Framework for Action is the result of true inter-agency cooperation, combining distinct view and approaches of key organizations working in the fight against trafficking.Expertise was provided in the course of consultations and meetings by a anti-trafficking partners including Anti-Slavery International, Council of Europe, End child prostitution, child pornography and trafficking of children for sexual purposes (ECPAT), International Organization for Migration (IOM), International Labour Organization (ILO), Intervention Centre for Victims of Trafficking in Women (LEFOE-IBF), Organization of American States (OAS), Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Terre des homes International Federation (Tdh), The Protection Project, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies,United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women/Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDAW/DESA), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI), United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

Read more about the International Framework for Action and other anti-trafficking tools and publications here.

30 September - 2 October 2009

Budva, Montenegro

Workshop to develop guidelines on International Legal Cooperation Instruments in the area of anti-human trafficking and migrant smuggling

18 September 2009

Geneva, New York, Vienna

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

This manual on fighting trafficking is unique in that it specifically focuses on children, includes a special emphasis on labour issues, and is geared towards training. It is comprised of textbooks for self study and an exercise book with a menu of assignment options that trainers can choose from for tailor-made training courses. It also includes a facilitators' guide for use by those facilitating training. The manual addresses the needs of governments; workers' and employers' organizations; and NGOs and international agencies working at the policy and outreach level.

The publication is the result of an Expert Group Initiative on child trafficking, led by ILO and UNICEF, and implemented under the United Nations Global Initiative to fight trafficking ( UN.GIFT)

28 August 2009

Anti-Human Trafficking Training Manual launched today at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok (Thailand)

Today at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, the United Nations Anti-Human Trafficking Manual for Criminal Justice Practitioners was launched by US Ambassador-at-large, Luis CdeBaca, in the presence of several practitioners from the Thai government and UN authorities, as well as members of the media and civil society.

In line with the Trafficking in Persons Protocol supplementing the United Nations Organized Crime Convention, the purpose of the Anti-Human Trafficking Manual for Criminal Justice Practitioners is to support criminal justice practitioners in the prevention of human trafficking, the protection of its victims, the prosecution of its culprits and in the international cooperation needed to achieve these goals.

The Anti-Human Trafficking Manual for Criminal Justice Practitioners is the result of a global cooperative process in which expert representatives from academia, NGOs, international organizations, law enforcement officers, prosecutors and judges from all over the world contributed their expertise and experiences.

7 August 2009

Unprecedented Court of Women hears testimonies from the trafficked and sexually exploited
Nusa Dua, Bali (Indonesia)

Read more here

3 - 4 August 2009

Regional Workshop on the Role of NGOs in Preventing the Smuggling of Migrants

Read more here

16 July 2009

Mexico and UNODC to launch the Blue Heart Campaign in early 2010

Read more here

15 - 16 July 2009

Experts support draft law to combat migrant smuggling in Côte d'Ivoire

Read more here

11 July 2009

President Obama praises conviction of human traffickers in Ghana

In his remarks to the Ghanaian Parliament on 11 July 2009, US President Barack Obama praised Ms. Patience Quaye for her role in the successful human trafficking prosecution in Ghana.

Read more here

6 - 7 July 2009

Workshop on International Criminal Justice Cooperation in Response to Migrant Smuggling held in Cairo Egypt

From 6 to 7 of July, law enforcers and prosecutors from several countries in North and West africa met to discuss criminal justice cooperation in response to the challenges of combating migrant smuggling.

To read more about the workshop, click here.

30 June 2009

UNODC launches Model Law against Trafficking in Persons

The UNODC Model Law against Trafficking in Persons was developed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in response to the request of the General Assembly to the Secretary-General to promote and assist the efforts of Member States to become party to and implement the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols thereto.

The UNODC Model Law against Trafficking in Persons has been developed to assist States in implementing the provisions contained in the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, supplementing that Convention. It will facilitate the review and amendment of existing legislation as well as the adoption of new legislation. It has been designed to be adaptable to the needs of each State, whatever its legal tradition and social, economic, cultural and geographical conditions. The Model Law covers not only the criminalization of trafficking in persons and related offences, but also the different aspects of assistance to victims as well as establishing cooperation between different state authorities and NGOs. Each provision is accompanied by a detailed commentary, providing several options for legislators, as appropriate, and legal sources and examples.

The UNODC Model Law against Trafficking in Persons was developed by the Organized Crime and Criminal Justice Section of the Division for Treaty Affairs in cooperation with the Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Unit (AHTMSU) of the Division for Operations and the Statistics and Surveys Section of the Division for Policy Analysis and Public Affairs. Two consultant drafters, Marjan Wijers and Roelof Haveman, assisted UNODC. A group of experts in the field of anti-human trafficking, from a variety of legal and geographical backgrounds met to discuss and review the draft Model Law.

Download the UNODC Model Law against Trafficking in Persons

See more UNODC Legal Tools and Model Legislation

See more anti-human trafficking Tools and Publications

23 June 2009

UNODC Paper 'Combating Trafficking in Persons in Accordance with the Principles of Islamic Law' launched in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Download the paper 'Combating Trafficking in Persons in Accordance with the Principles of Islamic Law'

See more anti-human trafficking Tools and Publications

22 - 24 June 2009

Final Expert Group Meeting to Elaborate UNODC Basic Training Modules on Preventing and Combating Migrant Smuggling held in Abuja, Nigeria

Between 22 and 24 June, expert law enforcers and prosecutors from around the world met in Abuja, Nigeria to provide practical input to the elaboration of UNODC basic training modules on preventing and combating the Smuggling of Migrants.

To read more about the EGM, click here.

16 June 2009

African Union launches AU.COMMIT - an initiative to fight human trafficking in Africa

The African Union has chosen the Day of the African Child, celebrated today, to launch AU.COMMIT, an initiative to fight human trafficking in Africa. This campaign seeks to make the fight against trafficking in persons a priority on the development agenda of the continent. It also calls on African States to build on the Ouagadougou Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, which guides African Union member States in developing and reforming their policies and laws on trafficking in persons.

As the guardian of an international anti-human trafficking instrument and as the provider of technical assistance, UNODC supports AU.COMMIT. UNODC also collaborates with the African Union under the framework of the implementation of the Union's Plan of Action on Drug Control and Crime Prevention.

To read more about AU.COMMIT click here.

12 June 2009

Joint Project between Task Force against Trafficking in Human Beings (TF-THB) of the Council of the Baltic Sea States and UNODC showcased online

UNODC and the Task Force against Trafficking in Human Beings (TF-THB) of the Council of Baltic Sea States, are jointly implementing a project on fostering cooperation between different governmental institutions and non-governmetnal actors in preventing and combating human trafficking in, from and to the Baltic Sea Region.

The project is now showcased online on the Council of Baltic Sea States website here.

9 June 2009

UNODC regional project in Central America as a platform for the promotion of good practices on the investigation of trafficking in persons in the Americas

The Ibero American Association of Public Prosecutors Offices (AIAMP) - the highest political penal prosecution instance in the Central American region - has recognized the UNODC project against trafficking in persons (XCAS26) in Central America as a model program to be replicated in other countries.

To find out why, click here.

4 June 2009

UNODC Regional Office for South Asia spoke with Professor Zakir Hossain about the human trafficking situation and response to it in Bangladesh. Professor Zakir Hossain is the Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Chittagong in Bangladesh and a Member of the Judicial Service Commission, in the context of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) training on combating human trafficking for law enforcement officers.

To read the full interview, click here.

22 May 2009

UNODC and European Commission partnership: Promoting the implementation of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, and the Protocol against Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, both supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime

UNODC and the European Commission are partnering to implement a global project aiming to promote the implementation of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, and the Protocol against Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, both supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

The project, funded mainly by the European Commission, will be carried out over a period of 3 years:

(i) To advocate for global adherence to the Smuggling and Trafficking Protocols and to support UN Member States in their ratification and/or accession efforts by assisting them in bringing their legal frameworks in compliance with the requirements of these instruments

(ii) To assist governments in strengthening their capacities, in particular of their criminal justice systems, to effectively prevent, investigate, prosecute and adjudicate cases of trafficking in persons (TiP) and smuggling of migrants (SoM) including through cooperation with third countries, while protecting the rights of smuggled migrants as well as assisting and protecting victims of human trafficking, including through appropriate prevention programmes and awareness campaigns.

Activities will be carried around the world in beneficiary countries agreed upon by the Steering Committee of the project, composed of representatives of UNODC and of the EC reaching out to legislators, parliamentarians, criminal justice practitioners and non-governmental organizations. The final beneficiaries of this project will be actual and potential victims of trafficking in persons and smuggled migrants.

UNODC welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with the European Commission to tackle such crimes.

20 May 2009

UNODC Regional Office for South Asia showcases good practice in preventing human trafficking and protecting its victims. Stop Trafficking and Oppression of Children and Women (STOP) a non-governmental organisation follows a human rights based approach to the prevention of trafficking in women mainly for sexual exploitation. Working with a strong and diverse network of partners, STOP works to reduce gender discrimination in society to address root causes of trafficking.

For more, click here.

19 May 2009

Paintings from "Welcome to Gulu", an art exhibition that was held at United Nations Headquarters, are now available for viewing and purchase at the prestigious Lehmann Maupin Gallery in Manhattan.

The exhibition features some 200 paintings by former child soldiers and abducted girls from Gulu, northern Uganda, who benefited from an art therapy project by acclaimed New York artist Ross Bleckner last January.

The children's paintings will be on sale until 13 June 2009. Proceeds from the sale will go towards helping the children of Gulu in Uganda.

To read more about the exhibition, click here.

5 - 7 May 2009

The Regional Office of UNODC in Central Asia in coordination with the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan, recently held a workshop in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on "International and national mechanisms of combating human trafficking and protection of victims of human trafficking."

To read more about the workshop, click here.

April 2009

UNODC and UKHTC (United Kingdom Human Trafficking Centre) enter into strategic partnership.

20 April 2009

The anti-human trafficking and migrants smuggling unit of UNODC has recently published two new leaflets on smuggling of migrants, describing the issue as a "deadly business". The brochure offers unprecedent information on the smuggling of migrants and their related activities as well as latest trends and patterns. View the leaflet.

25 March 2009

UNODC hosts second expert group meeting on the elaboration of basic training modules on preventing and combating migrant smuggling

25 March 2009

serbia joint programme The UNODC Regional Programme Office for South East Europe (RPOSEE), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Mission to Serbia and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Mission to Serbia organized two roundtables in Belgrade on the joint programme in the area of Anti-Human Trafficking in Serbia which was developed under the UN.GIFT.

Joint programme event 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

The findings of 22 workshops with law enforcement, penal prosecution and judicial authorities conducted during 2008 by UNODC in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama have been put together in a regional report which analyses in depth the political, legal, institutional and technical conditions to investigate trafficking in persons. The report also provides practical recommendations to overcome gaps in the prosecution of traffickers. The UNODC regional study is to be complemented by the Global Report on Trafficking in Persons that was launched on 12 February 2009.

To read more about the regional assessment on penal prosecution capacities to investigate trafficking in persons in Central America, click here.

23 to 25 February 2009

UNODC hosts fourth meeting on Enhancing Operational Capacity to Investigate and Disrupt Human Trafficking Activities in the Western Balkans

The UNODC Regional Programme Office for South East Europe (RPOSEE) organized the fourth meeting of the Project: "Enhancing Operational Capacity to Investigate and Disrupt Human Trafficking Activities in the Western Balkans", which was held in Tirana, Albania from 23 to 25 February 2009.

To read more about the meeting, click here.

12 February 2009

UNODC launches Global Report on Trafficking in Persons

Based on data gathered from 155 countries, UNODC's Global Report on Trafficking in Persons is based on data gathered from 155 countries. It offers the first global assessment of the scope of human trafficking and what is being done to fight it. It includes: an overview of trafficking patterns; legal steps taken in response; and country-specific information on reported cases of trafficking in persons, victims, and prosecutions. The report was launched on 12 February at the United Nations Headquarters New York, by United Nations Under-Secretary General, Antonia Maria Costa, UNODC Executive Director.

To read the executive summary in Chinese, English, French, Spanish, Russian and Arabic, click here

To read more about the report, click here.

To see Human Trafficking: Photo Stories released on the occasion of the launch of the Global Report, click here.

For more publications, visit our publications page.

12 February 2009

Academy-Award winning actress Mira Sorvino appointed as a UNODC Goodwill Ambassador to Combat Human Trafficking

Ms Sorvino was inducted as a UNODC Goodwill Ambassador to Combat Human Trafficking during a high-level panel discussion on human trafficking, and the launch of the UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons.

To read more about Ms Sorvino and her appointment as a UNODC Goodwill Ambassador to Combat Human Trafficking click here

18 December 2008

Toolkit 2nd edition

UNODC launches Online Toolkit to Combat Trafficking in Persons

UNODC's Toolkit to Combat Trafficking in Persons aims to offer guidance, recommended resources, and promising practices to policymakers, law enforcers, judges, prosecutors, victim service providers and members of civil society who are working in interrelated spheres towards preventing traffickng, protecting and assisting victims and promoting international cooperation. All 123 Tools are now downloadable as individual files online.

Visit the Online Toolkit to Combat Trafficking in Persons

or download a full version of the Toolkit at our Tools and Publications page.

30 November 2008 - 3 December 2008

Expert Group Meeting to Elaborate Basic Training Modules on Preventing and Combating the Smuggling of Migrants

Between 30 November and 2 December 2008, expert law enforcers and prosecutors from around the world gathered in Saly, Senegal, to share their experience in investigating and prosecuting migrant smuggling with a view to providing practical input to the elaboration of basic training modules on preventing and combating the Smuggling of Migrants.

For more about the Expert Group Meeting, click here.

15 November 2008

Colloquium on Justice Delivery in Human Trafficking Crimes, India

On the 15 November 2008, UNODC's Regional Office for South Asia teamed with the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) of India to organize a one day Colloquium on Justice Delivery in Human Trafficking Crimes for Judicial Officers, Prosecutors and Police Officers in Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The colloquium involved all three wings of the criminal justice system, from all over India. Participants also included representatives from the media, UN agencise, civil society partners and students as observers. More than 250 senior officials attended this event.

For more about the Colloquium, click here or visit the website of UNODC's Regional Office for South Asia.

20 October 2008

UNODC launches report on trafficking in Lebanon

According to a newly released national report, only 60 cases involving victims of human trafficking are officially identified every year in Lebanon. For more information about this report, click here or download the report.

For more publications, visit our publications page.

15 October 2008

UNODC hosts event to discuss challenges in the delivery of technical assistance

Geeta addresses audience During the Conference of Parties, UNODC's anti-human trafficking and migrant smuggling unit hosted an event to explore challenges in implementating the Trafficking in Persons Protocol, specifically, the delivery of technical assistance. Presentations were made by representates from UNODC's offices in Mexico and Central America, Eastern Africa and India.

9 October 2008

UNODC releases new Toolkit to Combat Trafficking in Persons

"The fact that trafficking in persons occurs today is a horrifying reality. The fact that there is more we could be doing collectively to combat it should be a global call to arms." (UNODC Toolkit to Combat Trafficking in Persons).

Like the Trafficking in Persons Protocol, the overarching goals of the Toolkit are to prevent and combat trafficking, protect and assist its victims, and promote international cooperation. It is hoped that in providing guidance, showing promising practices and recommending resources, the Toolkit may inspire and assist policymakers, law enforcers, judges, prosecutors, victim service providers and members of civil society who are working in interconnected spheres towards these same objectives.

The Toolkit dedicates chapters to the thematic areas of:

1. International Legal Framework

2. Problem Assessment and Strategy Development

3. Legislative Framework

4. International Criminal Justice Cooperation

5. Law Enforcement and Prosecution

6. Victim Identification

7. Immigration Status of Victims and their Return and Repatriation

8. Victim Protection and Assistance

9. Prevention of Trafficking in Persons

10. Monitoring and Evaluation

The 123 tools contained in the Toolkit offer guidance in the form of legislative explanation, principles, guidelines, recommendations, directives, checklists, forms, and expert discussion of issues. Recommended resources include training materials, websites, legislative guides, online conventions, analysis and published reports produced by anti-trafficking IGO, NGO and government partners around the world. Non-exhaustive Promising Practices of anti-trafficking interventions from around the world are offered as both a celebration of efforts undertaken in differing contexts with varying resource capacities, and as an inspiration for further innovative initiatives.

Visit the Online Toolkit to Combat Trafficking in Persons

For more publications, visit our publications page

people smuggling human smuggling