In a move to toughen the law against human trafficking in Mexico, President Felipe Calderón recently passed a draft amendment to three articles of the country's Political Constitution. During a ceremony held at the Official Residence, President Calderón noted that the constitutional amendments will provide more protection for victims of human trafficking and afford Mexico better tools and laws to counter this crime in an efficient and coordinated manner.
In a move to toughen the law against human trafficking in Mexico, President Felipe Calderón recently signed a draft amendment to three articles of the country's Political Constitution. During a ceremony held at the official residence, President Calderón noted that the constitutional amendments would provide more protection for victims of human trafficking and afford Mexico better tools and laws to counter that crime in an efficient and coordinated manner.
The United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) has won a prestigious award for two stamp editions which highlight human trafficking and child labour. At the ceremony for the forty-first Asiago International Awards for Philatelic Art, held in Italy on 17 July, UNPA received the prize for "best stamps in the world" for 2010. The winning stamp sheets highlighted "Human Trafficking - Blue Heart Campaign (UNODC)" by UNPA Vienna and "Against Child Labour (ILO and GenevaWorld)" by UNPA Geneva.
In the framework of the project on "Strengthening the criminal justice capacity to disrupt key human trafficking routes in Egypt, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan", a training workshop for 30 Egyptian police officers was held by the UNODC Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior. The meeting took place at the Police Academy in Cairo, Egypt from 18 to 20 July 2011. The training workshop was based on the modules of the UNODC Anti-Human Trafficking Manual for Criminal Justice Practitioners and aimed at strengthening the capacity of police officers both as first responders to human trafficking and as investigators of trafficking in persons cases.
Balmani - a young girl from the rural part of Jharkhand (a State with a high number of human trafficking victims) who received livelihood training in housekeeping and is now able to support her mother's medical treatment. Chandni - a 14-year-old girl from Kishanganj, Bihar (another major source State for human trafficking), who narrowly escaped being sold to a 45-year-old stranger for marriage.
In May 2011, Government of India ratified the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its three protocols. India is one of the five countries in South Asia, including Afghanistan, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and very recently Nepal, to ratify the UNTOC.
On the occasion of the Indian Government ratifying the UNTOC, UNODC interviewed the Union Home Secretary, Mr G K Pillai, to understand the significance of the UNTOC and its three protocols for India, especially in the context of addressing human trafficking in the country and South Asia.
Inequalities in income, education and opportunities are major root causes of human trafficking, inducing many to migrate to seek for a better life. Thousands of migrants instead become victims of labour exploitation, a new form of slavery that occurs on a massive scale. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) is hosting a conference entitled "Preventing Trafficking in Human Beings for Labour Exploitation: Decent Work and Social Justice".
A new report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) investigates the involvement of organized criminal groups in the smuggling of migrants from West Africa towards the European Union (EU). Information in the report was compiled by a team of researchers from West Africa and Europe using both documentary studies and field research conducted in Mali, the Niger, Nigeria and Spain.
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During the 20th Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice the European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control, affiliated with the United Nations (HEUNI), the Permanent Mission of Finland and UNODC organized a side event to present a new HEUNI three country study.
The side event focused on trafficking in persons for forced labour and forced labour exploitation. The panel, chaired by UNODC, was composed of representatives from HEUNI, the Council of the Baltic Sea States Task Force against Trafficking in Human Beings (CBSS-TF-THB) and the International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy (ICCLR).
The laws on human trafficking are diverse within the countries of South Asia, where the ratification status of the UNTOC is generally still low. In addition to domestic efforts, international cooperation is a must for successfully responding to human trafficking across the region. There is a need to examine country specific laws to understand where the gaps in responses lie, and also, how Member States can be assisted to fill those gaps. In this regard, a legal and policy review of responses to human trafficking in Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka was commissioned jointly by UNODC and UN WOMEN, under the UN Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT).
UNODC initiated a study as part of its Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Issue Papers Series on the occurrence of Transnational Organized Crime in the Fishing Industry. The study posed the questions whether there is transnational organized crime and other criminal activity in the fishing industry and, if so, what the vulnerabilities of the fishing industry are to transnational organized crime or other criminal activity.
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On the occasion of the fourth International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, UNODC observes the Day also from its work to combat Human Trafficking.
The theme of this year's commemoration is The Transatlantic Slave Trade: The Living Legacy of 30 Million Untold Stories. In commemoration of the memory of the victims, the General Assembly, in its resolution 62/122 of 17 December 2007, declared 25 March the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, to be observed annually. The resolution called for the establishment of an outreach programme to mobilize educational institutions, civil society and other organizations to inculcate in future generations the "causes, consequences and lessons of the transatlantic slave trade, and to communicate the dangers of racism and prejudice".
Manual sobre la investigación del delito de trata de personas - Guía de Auto aprendizaje and the Guía del docente - Capacitación para investigación del delito de trata de personas developed by the Regional Office for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean in cooperation with the United Nations Latin American Institute for the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders. Both tools were based on the Anti-Human Trafficking Manual for Criminal Justice Practitioners.
Arrested Colombian Traffickers
Une industrie mondiale d'une valeur d'environ 32 milliards de dollars. Des millions de marchandises circulent tout le temps. Est-ce l'une des grandes histoires récentes de réussite d'une entreprise? Pas vraiment, c'est le fructueux résultat du milieu illicite du trafic d'êtres humains, un important réseau qui comprend pas moins de 2,4 millions de femmes, enfants et hommes pris au piège dans des conditions analogues à celles de l'esclavage. A travers l'exploitation sexuelle, le travail forcé, la servitude domestique et la mendicité des enfants, des personnes du monde entier sont détenues contre leur volonté.
A global industry worth approximately $32 billion. Millions of goods moved all the time. Is this one of today's great corporate success stories? Hardly - this is the illicit world of human trafficking, a major network which sees around 2.4 million women, children and men trapped in slave-like conditions at any given time. Through sexual exploitation, forced labour, domestic servitude and child begging, people the world over are held against their will.
Vienna - From 08 July to 09 March 2011, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) headquarters hosted an Expert Group Meeting (EGM) to discuss the involvement of Transnational Organized Crime in the Fishing Industry and contribute to the finalization of a study on this topic. The study is part of a series of Issue Papers published by the Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Unit on specific topics.
The study aims to identify whether specific patterns of transnational organized crime can be identified in the fishing industry and if there are specific vulnerabilities of the fishing industry to the occurrence of organized crime. The study focuses on three specific types of crime: trafficking in persons, smuggling of migrants and illicit drugs trafficking. In the course of the study, other types of crime were identified.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is the guardian of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), and the Protocols thereto. In this regard, UNODC in cooperation with NATO and the NATO School supports the implementation in practice of the Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Protocols.
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Avec plus de 2,4 millions de personnes en captivité à travers le monde, la traite des êtres humains est devenu à notre époque l'un des crimes et des problèmes majeurs de notre société. Pratiquement tous les pays dans le monde sont touchés par ce crime, que ce soit en tant que pays d'origine, de transit ou de lieu de destination des victimes.
Actuellement, à peu près 2.4 million de personnes sont pris au piège dans ce qui est considéré comme une forme moderne d'esclavage: la traite des êtres humains. Un peu partout dans le monde, des enfants, des femmes et des hommes sont exploités sexuellement et soumis au travail forcé, victimes de ce qu'on qualifie aujourd'hui de crime international odieux. Ce business mondial serait estimé à 32 milliards de dollars. Le trafic d' humain concerne presque tout les pays du monde.
With more than 23 million travellers per year, Benito Juarez International Airport is Mexico's main international and domestic gateway, as well as Latin America's busiest hub for passenger traffic and aircraft movement. As such, it is a perfect venue for spreading messages to travellers on a crime that shames us all - that of human trafficking. UNODC Mexico and airport authorities have begun broadcasting public service announcements on human trafficking across the vast number of television monitors located in two terminals of the airport.
En Novembre 2010, le ' United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking ' a été lancé pour venir en aide aux personnes les plus vulnérables. Administré par l'UNODC, le Fonds de contributions est dirigé par un panel de 5 membres qui sont des représentants géographique du conseil d'administration.
In November 2010, the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking was launched to assist those most in need as a result of having been trafficked. Administered by UNODC, the Trust Fund is guided by a five-member board of trustees. One of those members, Dr. Saisuree Chutikul of Thailand, has been working for many years to fight human trafficking and its related social evils, such as gender-based violence.
At any given time, some 2.4 million people are trapped in what is considered a modern form of slavery: human trafficking. Children, women and men across the globe are being sexually exploited and enslaved as forced labourers, victims of one of today's most heinous international crimes. On 19 January, the feature-length documentary film "Not My Life" premiered in New York City. Centred around human trafficking in Africa, Asia, Europe and North and South America, Not My Life brings the story of this crime to the big screen.
With more than 23 million travellers per year, Benito Juarez International Airport is Mexico's main international and domestic gateway, as well as Latin America's busiest hub for passenger traffic and aircraft movement. As such, it is a perfect venue for spreading messages to travellers on a crime that shames us all - that of human trafficking. UNODC Mexico and airport authorities have begun broadcasting public service announcements on human trafficking across the vast number of television monitors located in two terminals of the airport.
With more than 2.4 million people held captive across the world, human trafficking has become one of today's major crimes and issues of social concern. UNODC interviewed Rani Hong, a survivor of human trafficking and the founder of the Tronie Foundation to support survivors of the crime. For the past 10 years, Rani has been sharing her story across the globe to inspire people and collect support for her work with survivors of human trafficking.
Les gens quittent leur pays pour bien des raisons différentes, qu'elles soient économiques, sociales, politiques ou religieuses. De tous temps, les migrants ont surmonté l'adversité et trouvé ailleurs une vie meilleure. Aujourd'hui, la mondialisation a fait augmenter considérablement le nombre de migrants.
Between 11 and 13 December, the UNODC Global Programme against Money Laundering, Proceeds of Crime and the Financing of Terrorism (GPML) and the UNODC Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Unit partnered with the Yemeni National Committee for AML/CFT to present a workshop on money laundering related to proceeds from human trafficking.
People leave their countries for a variety of reasons, whether social, economic, political or religious. Throughout history, migrants have overcome adversity and found a better life elsewhere. The International Migrant's Day, marked every year on 18 December, acknowledges the world's 214 million migrants, recognizes their contributions to society and, importantly, recalls their human rights.
Mira Sovirno, actrice lauréate de l'Academy Award, activiste humanitaire et Ambassadrice de bonne volonté à l'UNODC, reçut aujourd'hui le Global Advocate of the Year Award, pour son soutien à la cause des victimes de la traite des êtres humains, de l' United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA), le service de presse des Nations unies à New York.
Academy Award winning actress, humanitarian and UNODC Goodwill Ambassador Mira Sorvino was today awarded the Global Advocate of the Year Award for her support in highlighting the plight of victims of human trafficking by the United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA), the UN's press corps in New York.
International Organizations United against Trafficking in Persons
The United Nations and key relevant international organizations launched a first joint publication detailing recommendations for coordinated future action to combat trafficking in persons during the 6 th meeting of the Inter-agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT).
Avec plus de 2.4 million de personnes retenues captives à travers le monde, la traite des personnes est devenue l'un des crimes et des problèmes sociaux les plus importants de notre époque.
Pour trouver de nouvelles façons de mettre fin à ce fléau, le « Forum international Mettre fin à la traite maintenant : appliquer le Protocole de Luxor des Nations unies » démarra aujourd'hui, réunissant des décideurs politiques, des membres de la société civile et des hommes d'affaire venant de toutes les régions du monde.
With more than 2.4 million people held captive across the world, human trafficking has become one of today's major crimes and issues of social concern. To find new ways to tackle this scourge, the 'End Human Trafficking Now: Enforcing the UN Protocol Luxor International Forum' kicked off today bringing together policy makers, civil society and business leaders from around the world.
After about half a century, the most recent global effort to address this crime at the international level has been the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime which entered in force on 25 December 2003. The Trafficking in Persons Protocol for the first time provides a universally agreed upon definition of trafficking in persons. It addresses human trafficking as a crime including all forms of exploitation and all types of victims, seeking to balance law enforcement action with the rights of victims.
The vital work of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and others to respond to the complex and wide-ranging issues relating to migration, including trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, has been underlined at the world's foremost migration forum.
In a bid to help the victims of human trafficking, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today launched the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons with Hollywood stars and humanitarian activists Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher. Joining them were Joseph Deiss, President of the General Assembly, Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of UNODC, former trafficking victims, and Pulitzer Prize-winner Nicholas Kristof.