Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and migrant smuggling are global and widespread crimes that use men, women and children for profit. The organized networks or individuals behind these lucrative crimes take advantage of people who are vulnerable, desperate or simply seeking a better life. UNODC strives for the eradication of these crimes through the dismantling of the criminal enterprises that trade in people and the conviction of the main perpetrators. Ultimately, our work safeguards people from the abuse, neglect, exploitation or even death that is associated with these crimes.
Trafficking in Persons is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of people through force, fraud or deception, with the aim of exploiting them for profit. Men, women and children of all ages and from all backgrounds can become victims of this crime, which occurs in every region of the world. The traffickers often use violence or fraudulent employment agencies and fake promises of education and job opportunities to trick and coerce their victims.
UNODC supports countries in combating TIP by assisting them in ratifying and implementing the UN Protocol on Trafficking in Persons. It helps nations draft, develop, and review laws, policies, and action plans, and provides training and mentoring to strengthen the capacity of authorities to apprehend, prosecute, and convict traffickers while protecting and supporting victims. Additionally, UNODC supplies evidence-based studies, toolkits, and model laws for training, research, and policy reform. Through partnerships with international, governmental, and non-governmental organizations, UNODC also facilitates joint investigations into trafficking crimes.
Migrant Smuggling is the facilitation, for financial or other material gain, of irregular entry into a country where the migrant is not a national or resident. The criminals behind this highly profitable business seize the opportunity created by the need or desire of people to escape not just poverty and lack of employment opportunities but also natural disaster, conflict or persecution.
The work of UNODC in countering the smuggling of migrants focuses on assisting States in implementing the Smuggling of Migrants Protocol and in enacting laws criminalizing involvement in the smuggling of migrants and on training law enforcement officers and prosecutors from around the world.
Trafficking in Persons (TIP) is a grave human rights violation and a serious crime affecting societies worldwide. It victimizes millions of women, men and children, including those most vulnerable amongst migrant communities, asylum-seekers, refugees and stateless persons, and is commonly associated with many other forms of exploitation, such as sexual exploitation, forced and bonded labour, forced marriages and practices like slavery. The brutality and injustice associated with trafficking in persons is immeasurable for each and every victim. Their lives, dreams and expectations are shattered.
South Asian countries are either source, transit, destination countries for trafficking in persons for various purposes, including forced labour, sexual exploitation, forced marriage, and organ removal. The share of detected trafficked victims exploited for forced criminal activity has been increasing. While South Asian countries have made progress in strengthening their capacity to manage migration more efficiently and effectively, significant challenges remain.
Open and porous borders within the South Asia region pose a challenge for border guards and immigration officers in detecting, identifying and reporting incidents of trafficking in persons. When victims of cross-border trafficking in persons are detected, it is critical to have efficient and timely mechanisms of information sharing between countries, so that victims can be rescued and traffickers arrested immediately.
UNODC strives for the eradication of these crimes through the dismantling of the criminal enterprises that trade in people and the conviction of the main perpetrators. Ultimately, our work safeguards people from the abuse, neglect, exploitation or even death that is associated with these crimes.
