International Development Law Organization

Trafficking

Human trafficking is antithetical to the rule of law: the practice constitutes one of the most acute challenges to rights and dignity. Often a corollary of extreme inequality, human trafficking is concentrated in developing countries, with victims targeted both for domestic enslavement and smuggling across borders. Although human trafficking is outlawed by several international treaties and conventions, national legislations are frequently patchy, and enforcement weak. Even when this is not so, experience suggests traffickers remain one step ahead.

Building capacity in the justice sector is therefore important, but not always sufficient. We believe the best results combine institutional work with tackling the phenomenon at grassroots level – both empowering the victims of trafficking, and educating communities to resist it.

Strengthening the Capacity of Police and Other Law Enforcement Agencies to Effectively Respond to Trafficking in Persons

In Liberia, the most prevalent form of trafficking in persons involves women and children being trafficked from rural to urban areas, with family members usually acting as independent traffickers. Although the country has a legal and policy framework prohibiting trafficking, the response to trafficking in persons is ineffective, with very few investigations, prosecutions and convictions. In 2017, Liberia was classified as one of the countries on the ‘Tier 2 Watchlist’ in the United States Department of State’s Report on Trafficking in Persons.

High-Level Meeting on the Implementation of the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons

STATEMENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT LAW ORGANIZATION

High-Level Meeting on the Implementation of the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons

October 2, 2017

New York

Delivered by Judit Arenas, Deputy Permanent Observer to the United Nations / Director- External Relations

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Excellency,

Equipping Paraguay to Prosecute Trafficking

Paraguay is both a point of origin and transit for human trafficking, especially of women. Children and indigenous groups are also extremely vulnerable. Most of the victims are trafficked to Argentina, Spain and Bolivia. This crime particularly affects populations living in situations of violence, discrimination or poverty. In collaboration with the Paraguayan government and other partners, IDLO has worked on criminal law and justice enforcement in the country, as well as legal protection for victims.

Assisting Trafficking Victims in Chile

IDLO is working with the European Union’s EUROsociAL program to strengthen access to justice for victims of trafficking. We are assisting Chile’s Ministry of Justice (MOJ) to coordinate orientation services and legal assistance in order to protect and empower the most vulnerable. IDLO has drafted a protocol involving, among others, the Chilean Ministry of the Interior and the Prosecutor's office: it enables various institutions to offer a coherent, efficient response to the phenomenon of trafficking.

Key Initiatives

  • In Liberia, the most prevalent form of trafficking in persons involves women and children being trafficked from rural to urban areas, with family members usually acting as independent traffickers. Although the country has a legal and policy framework prohibiting trafficking, the response to trafficking in persons is ineffective, with very few investigations, prosecutions and convictions. In 2017, Liberia was classified as one of the countries on the ‘Tier 2 Watchlist’ in the United States Department of State’s Report on Trafficking in Persons.

  • Paraguay is both a point of origin and transit for human trafficking, especially of women. Children and indigenous groups are also extremely vulnerable. Most of the victims are trafficked to Argentina, Spain and Bolivia. This crime particularly affects populations living in situations of violence, discrimination or poverty. In collaboration with the Paraguayan government and other partners, IDLO has worked on criminal law and justice enforcement in the country, as well as legal protection for victims.

  • IDLO is working with the European Union’s EUROsociAL program to strengthen access to justice for victims of trafficking. We are assisting Chile’s Ministry of Justice (MOJ) to coordinate orientation services and legal assistance in order to protect and empower the most vulnerable. IDLO has drafted a protocol involving, among others, the Chilean Ministry of the Interior and the Prosecutor's office: it enables various institutions to offer a coherent, efficient response to the phenomenon of trafficking.

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