A/HRC/20/18
United Nations
General Assembly
Distr.: General
6 June 2012
Original: English
Human Rights Council
Twentieth session
Agenda item 3
Promotion and protection of all human rights, civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights,
including the right to development
Report of the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in
persons, especially women and children,
Joy Ngozi Ezeilo
*
Summary
The present report is submitted in accordance with Human Rights Council
resolution 17/1.
In the report, the Special Rapporteur provides an overview of her activities during
the period under review, from 1 March 2011 to 29 February 2012.
The report comprises a thematic analysis of a human rights-based approach to the
administration of criminal justice in cases of trafficking in persons. The Special Rapporteur
outlines the international legal framework and reviews key components, including the
criminalization of trafficking offences, the non-criminalization of trafficked persons, the
provision of protection and support for victim witnesses, the exercise of due diligence in
the investigation and prosecution of cases, respect for the rights of suspects, the imposition
of proportionate sanctions and penalties, efforts to address corruption and to seize assets,
and international cooperation. Drawing on State responses to her questionnaire, she
provides an overview of trends in State practice, highlighting emerging good practices and
common challenges.
The report contains the Special Rapporteur’s conclusions and recommendations.
*
GE.12-13805
Late submission.