A/RES/76/186
United Nations
General Assembly
Distr.: General
11 January 2022
Seventy-sixth session
Agenda item 108
Crime prevention and criminal justice
Resolution adopted by the General Assembly
on 16 December 2021
[on the report of the Third Committee (A/76/463, para. 26)]
76/186.
Improving the coordination of efforts against trafficking in persons
The General Assembly,
Reiterating its strong condemnation of trafficking in persons, especially women
and children, which constitutes an offence and a serious threat to human dignity and
physical integrity, human rights and sustainable development,
Reiterating its concern that, despite sustained measures taken at the
international, regional and national levels, trafficking in persons remains one of the
grave challenges facing the international community, which also impairs the
enjoyment of human rights and needs a more concerted collective and comprehensive
international response,
Bearing in mind that all States have an obligation to exercise due diligence to
prevent, investigate and punish perpetrators of trafficking in persons and to pro tect
and assist victims, and that not doing so violates and impairs or nullifies the
enjoyment of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the victims,
Recognizing that the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is one of the
greatest global challenges in the history of the United Nations, and noting with deep
concern its impact on health and the loss of life, mental health and well -being, as well
as the negative impact on global humanitarian needs, the enjoyment of human rights
and across all spheres of society, including on livelihoods, food security and nutrition,
education, the exacerbation of poverty and hunger, disruption to economies, trade,
societies, environments, and the exacerbation of economic and social inequalities
within and among countries, which exacerbate existing vulnerabilities to trafficking and
create new challenges to combating the crime of trafficking in persons,
Noting that reports have highlighted a sharp increase in unemployment rates
brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic that is likely to worsen the circumstances
for those most at risk of falling victim to trafficking in persons, in particular in countries
experiencing the fastest and most persistent drops in employment,
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