04/23/2026
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe convened the 26th Conference of the Alliance against Trafficking in Persons, titled “The Rise of Forced Criminality: Addressing a Security Blind Spot,” bringing together international leaders, policymakers, law enforcement, and civil society to confront one of the fastest-growing and most underrecognized forms of human trafficking.
Forced criminality—where individuals are coerced into committing crimes such as drug trafficking, theft, fraud, and cyber-enabled offenses—is rapidly increasing across the region. Data presented at the conference shows that identified victims of forced criminality rose dramatically from just over 1% in 2018 to 17% in 2024, underscoring an alarming trend that is outpacing current protection and prosecution responses.
Participants emphasized that forced criminality challenges traditional distinctions between victims and offenders, often resulting in victims being wrongfully criminalized while traffickers evade accountability. By fostering dialogue, sharing best practices, and advancing strategies, the Alliance Conference aimed to strengthen global efforts to protect victims, dismantle trafficking networks, and address forced criminality as a pressing human rights and security issue.
