An Introduction to Human Trafficking - United Nations Office on ...

SUMMARIES OF THE PAPERS
directly challenges the development of stable, more prosperous societies and legitimate
economies, and works strongly against the reconciliation of political interests with humanitarian
and human rights obligations. The range of trafficking-related crimes and their
broad and interrelated impacts have created a cumulative threat <strong>to</strong> global peace, security
and stability and have shaped political, social and economic responses at both national
and global levels.
3.—Action
Responses <strong>to</strong> trafficking in persons: international norms
translated in<strong>to</strong> action at the national and regional levels
The principal responses by Governments <strong>to</strong> trafficking in persons since the adoption in
November 2000 of the Pro<strong>to</strong>col <strong>to</strong> Prevent, Suppress and Punish <strong>Trafficking</strong> in Persons,
Especially Women and Children are described in the paper, as also how some of these
responses could be more effective. The main focus of States has been on detecting and
prosecuting traffickers, identifying, protecting and assisting people who have already been
trafficked and initiating action <strong>to</strong> prevent people from being trafficked in the first place.
The need is stressed for more research and data collection on all forms of trafficking in
order <strong>to</strong> develop tailored and effective anti-trafficking strategies and the subsequent moni<strong>to</strong>ring
of such interventions in order <strong>to</strong> make sure they have the desired impact.
Legislation
Of the 116 States that had ratified the <strong>Trafficking</strong> Pro<strong>to</strong>col as at 4 December 2007, the
majority have adopted new laws or amended existing legislation <strong>to</strong> translate the Pro<strong>to</strong>col
in<strong>to</strong> action, define an offence of trafficking in persons and increase the penalties for traffickers,
and have established institutions and procedures <strong>to</strong> implement the law. Many
regional initiatives have also been implemented. However, in the formulation of these normative
frameworks, at both the national and the regional level, there is little consistency
in the core definition of trafficking in persons and national legislation often falls short of
the comprehensive provisions of the Pro<strong>to</strong>col. States may refer <strong>to</strong> commercial sexual
exploitation, or the trafficking of women and girls, while omitting trafficking for forced
labour or servitude. In other cases, although the Pro<strong>to</strong>col clearly indicates that in the case
of children the various illegal means of trafficking are irrelevant, some legislation does
not yet reflect that provision, or defines the age of a child as something other than less
than 18 years of age.
Such lack of definitional clarity poses major challenges for international cooperation. All
States that have ratified the <strong>Trafficking</strong> Pro<strong>to</strong>col should make sure that their legislation is
in compliance with its provisions.
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