HUMAN WRONGS WATCH

Today, on 30 July 2014, the international community commemorates the first World Day against Trafficking in Persons. Trafficking in persons 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 all practices similar to slavery.*

The brutality and injustice associated with trafficking in persons is immeasurable for each and every victim. Their lives, dreams and expectations are shattered. Trafficking in persons is a very lucrative business.

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This is illustrated by the most recent estimates published this spring by the International Labour Organization which suggest that forced labour in the private economy alone generates US$ 150 billion in illegal profits per year.

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Two thirds of this figure (US$ 99 billion) comes from commercial sexual exploitation, while another US$ 51 billion are a result of forced economic exploitation, including domestic work, agriculture and other economic activities.

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A comprehensive response to addressing the entire trafficking chain will require the combined action of different stakeholders – States, international organizations, civil society, the private sector, employers and workers and their organizations, as well as individual citizens in their roles both as consumers and as members of society.

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In 2006, the Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT), bringing together sixteen United Nations entities and other international organizations, was created to facilitate a holistic and comprehensive approach by the international community to the problem of trafficking in persons.

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Today’s joint statement on behalf of ICAT is a sign of its member organizations’ renewed commitment to inter-agency cooperation and coordination to support Member  States in the fight against trafficking in persons.