PURPOSE: The U.N. Member States adopted resolution A/RES/68/192 and designated July 30 as the World Day against Trafficking in Persons. This resolution declared that such a day was necessary to “raise awareness of the situation of victims of human trafficking and for the promotion and protection of their rights.” In September 2015, the world adopted the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and embraced goals and targets on trafficking in persons. These goals call for an end to trafficking and violence against children; as well as the need for measures against human trafficking, and they strive for the elimination of all forms of violence against and exploitation of women and girls.
FORUM: “Use and abuse of technology;” World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2022. Human trafficking is a crime that exploits women, children and men for numerous purposes including forced labour and sex. Since 2003 the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has collected information on about 225,000 victims of trafficking detected worldwide. Globally countries are detecting and reporting more victims and are convicting more traffickers. This can be the result of increased capacity to identify victims and/or an increased number of trafficked victims. Prevention and awareness-raising activities on the safe use of the internet and social media could help mitigate the risk of people falling victim of trafficking online. Cooperation with the private sector is important to harness innovation and expertise for the development of sustainable technology-based solutions to support prevention and combatting of human trafficking. Follow the conversations with the hashtag #EndHumanTrafficking on all digital platforms.
EVENTS: World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2022. Under UNODC’s theme “Use and Abuse of Technology” and supported by Belgium’s new campaign for the Blue Heart “Shine the Light on Human Trafficking”, UNODC partners from Belgium and the European Union held awareness-raising events and activities in cities across the country.
STATEMENTS:
Statement by the U.N. Secretary-General on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2022; July 30th.
Statetement by the Executive-Director of UNODC on World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2022; July 30th.
PODCASTS: The United Nations have underscored the need for governments, businesses and civil society to invest in policies, laws and technology-based solutions that can identify and support victims, locate and punish perpetrators, and ensure a safe, open and secure internet. Listen to the audio-podcasts!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: The campaign will raise awareness of the abuse of technology for human trafficking and highlight positive examples of technology as tool to impede human trafficking and support survivors.
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
ACTIONS
PARTNERSHIPS
Encourage everyone, Member States, NGOs, the private sector, all our partners, and stakeholders alike to join this year’s campaign
raise awareness of the signs, share internet safety tips, and highlight best practice examples.
Share your own content and best practice examples of using technology to impede trafficking and support victims
Be vigilant in the online sphere and report suspicious pages or activities to the authorities, e.g., by making use of dedicated online mechanisms or helplines.
Donate to the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking, which provides on-the-ground assistance and protection to victims of trafficking.
The World Day Against trafficking in Persons is celebrate every July 30th; Member States are encouraged to:
ensure that what is illegal and prosecuted offline is also illegal and prosecuted online.
expand their attention in the fight against human trafficking to cyberspace, including by providing resources for law enforcement and ensuring policies and regulations are in place.
join the Blue Heart Campaign and support victims of Human Trafficking via the UN Voluntary Trust Fund (UNVTF).
Technology-based private sector companies, especially tech companies are called to:
ensure measures and restrictions are in place which prevent the use of technological platforms and tools for trafficking.
use technological ingenuity to fight human trafficking.
proactively identify illegal and harmful material online and take immediate and effective steps to remove it.
The Day is hosted by the UNODC Country Offices; The UNODC New York Office; The UNODC Liaison Office in Brussels (BRULO); The UNODC Regional Office for Southeast Asia and the Pacific; The UNODC Regional Office for Central America and the Caribbean; The UNODC East Africa; UNODC Regional Office for Middle East and North Africa (RONEMA); The UNODC Regional Office of Europe, West and Central Asia, The The United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons; The United Nations Foundation; The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR); International Labour Organization (ILO); The International Organization for Migration (IOM); The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF); Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT); The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR); The Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children; The International Organization for Civil Aviation (ICAO); The UN. Women; The International criminal Police Organization (Interpol) and many other civil society organization and Non-Governmantal Organizations.