The United Nations (UN)’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is annually observed annually on 30th July to raise awareness about the situation of human trafficking victims and to promote and protect their rights.
- The 2023 campaign theme of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is: “Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind“.
- The 2023 campaign theme aims to raise awareness of disturbing developments and trends identified by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and calls on governments, law enforcement, public services, and civil society to evaluate and increase their efforts to strengthen prevention, identify and support victims, and end immunity.
Background:
i.On 18th December 2013, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/68/192 and proclaimed the 30th of July of every year as the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.
ii.The first-ever World Day Against Trafficking in Persons was observed on 30th July 2014.
What is Human Trafficking?
i.Human Trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring, or receipt of people through force, abduction, fraud, or deception for exploitation.
ii.Traffickers often use violence, blackmail, emotional manipulation, removal of official documents, fraudulent employment agencies, and fake promises of education and job opportunities to trick and coerce their victims.
Global Report on Trafficking in Persons:
i.The 2022 edition of the UNODC Global Report on Trafficking in Persons, is UNODC’s 7th report mandated by the UNGA through the 2010 UN’s Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons.
ii.This edition of the report covers 141 countries and provides an overview of the response to the trafficking of persons at global, regional, and national levels, by analysing trafficking cases detected between 2017 and 2021.
iii.The UNODC has been actively collecting data on trafficking in persons since 2009. As a result, they now acquire the most extensive dataset on this issue, encompassing data from 2003 to 2021.
iv.This data consists of records on over 450,000 victims and approximately 300,000 (suspected) offenders detected across the globe.
Key Points:
i.The number of victims detected globally reduced by 11% in 2020 from 2019, driven by fewer detections in low- and medium-income countries (LMIC).
ii.The number of convictions for trafficking offences fell by 27% in 2020 from 2019 globally.
iii.Detection of trafficking for forced labour (38.8%) in 2020 was equal to that of trafficking for sexual exploitation (38.7%), at just under 40% each.
iv.Male victims are the only profile that has increased by about +3% from 2019.
Blue Heart Campaign:
i.The Blue Heart Campaign is an impactful initiative that aims to fight against human trafficking and support the victims, particularly women and children.
ii.It plays a crucial role in raising awareness and generating funds to aid those affected by this terrible crime.
iii.This global effort is led by the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons (UNVTF), which is a part of the UNODC and the fund is managed by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
iv.The Blue Heart symbol represents solidarity with the victims and the cold-heartedness of those who buy and sell their fellow human beings.
Human Trafficking and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
i.The 2023 campaign theme represents the central, transformative promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its SDGs.
ii.As we reach the mid-point of the 2030 Agenda, it becomes vital to refocus the efforts on combating trafficking in persons, a global challenge that impacts millions of lives.
iii.The upcoming SDG Summit in 2023 presents a unique opportunity to raise awareness and renew global commitments towards eliminating trafficking in persons, specifically mentioned in SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 16 (Promote Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
Note: The 2023 SDG Summit will take place on 18-19 September 2023 in New York, the United States of America (USA)
About United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC):
Executive Director– Ghada Fathi Waly
Headquarters– Vienna, Austria
Established in– 1997
