21/07/2025
Human Trafficking: A Grave Violation of Human Rights
Human trafficking remains one of the most egregious violations of human rights in today’s world. Each year, thousands of men, women, and children are deceived or coerced into exploitative situations both within their own countries and abroad. Whether as countries of origin, transit, or destination, nearly every nation is affected by this global crime.
Understanding Trafficking in Persons
Trafficking in persons encompasses acts such as recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring, or receipt of individuals through means such as threats, force, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power, or payments to those in control of the victim. The ultimate purpose of these acts is exploitation. According to the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, exploitation includes, at a minimum:
Sexual exploitation and the exploitation of prostitution,
Forced labour or services,
Slavery or practices similar to slavery,
Servitude,
Removal of organs.
This Protocol is one of the key instruments under the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC). As the guardian of UNTOC and its protocols, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) supports member states in their efforts to effectively combat trafficking in persons.
The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons
In recognition of the urgency to raise awareness and strengthen global action, the United Nations General Assembly declared 30 July as the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons through its resolution A/RES/68/192. This day serves as a reminder of the millions of victims around the world and calls upon governments, civil society, and individuals to take a stand against trafficking.
Global Trends and Alarming Statistics
In 2022, victims from 162 different nationalities were trafficked to 128 countries, showing the truly global nature of this crime.
An estimated 74% of traffickers were found to be operating within organized crime groups, highlighting the sophisticated networks behind these operations.
Men accounted for approximately 70% of those investigated, prosecuted, and convicted for trafficking-related crimes in the same year.
African victims represented the largest proportion of cross-border trafficking victims, accounting for 31% of all such cases.
Call to Action
Combating human trafficking requires international cooperation, strong legal frameworks, victim-centered approaches, and public awareness. Governments and communities must work together to address the root causes of trafficking and protect those most vulnerable to exploitation.
Let us use this World Day Against Trafficking in Persons to reaffirm our commitment to ending this crime and restoring dignity to its victims.
By H.G.Sarath Pallegama
