The UNODC Maritime Crime Programme bulletin for March 2014 is available  here . Read more about the Maritime Crime Programme, including its counter-piracy activities  here . 

 

Human trafficking: Organized Crime and the Multi-billion Dollar Sale of People

The exploitation of human beings is a highly lucrative business for organized criminal groups. As a new UNODC campaign launched this week highlights, it is an illicit market which affects millions of victims worldwide every year. With traffickers making an estimated $32 billion annually, human trafficking is one of the world's most shameful crimes and one which robs people of their dignity and basic rights.

 

Developed to raise awareness around transnational organized crime, the campaign highlights some of the key threats being faced today - with human trafficking one of the leading concerns. The campaign, which can be seen on www.unodc.org/toc, includes a new video which is being rolled out online ( www.youtube.com/unodc) and through international broadcasters and illustrates the key financial and social costs of this international issue.