OFFICE OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR
HUMAN RIGHTS
Traffic in women and girls
Commission on Human Rights resolution 1997/19
The Commission on Human Rights,
Reaffirming the principles set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, the International Covenants on Human Rights, the
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Convention
on the Rights of the Child and the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women,
Recalling the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights
in June 1993 (A/CONF.157/23), which affirmed the human rights of women and the girl child as an inalienable,
integral and indivisible part of universal human rights,
Recalling also the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the
Prostitution of Others, taking note of the comments contained in the report of the Secretary-General (A/51/309),
and recalling all previous resolutions on the problem of the traffic in women and girls,
Affirming the provisions adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights, the International Conference on
Population and Development, the World Summit for Social Development, the Fourth World Conference on
Women and the Ninth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders
pertaining to the traffic in women and children,
Acknowledging the work done by intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations in compiling
information on the scale and complexity of the problem of trafficking, in providing shelters for trafficked women
and children and in effecting their voluntary repatriation to their countries of origin,
Noting with concern the increasing number of women and girls from developing countries and from some
countries with economies in transition who are being victimized by traffickers, and acknowledging that
trafficking also victimizes young boys,
Convinced of the need to eliminate all forms of sexual violence and sexual trafficking, including for prostitution
and other forms of commercial sex, which are violations of the human rights of women and girls and are
incompatible with the dignity and worth of the human person,
Realizing the urgent need for the adoption of effective measures nationally, regionally and internationally to
protect women and girls from this nefarious traffic,
1. Notes with appreciation the report of the Secretary-General on the traffic in women and girls (A/51/309);
2. Welcomes the convening of the World Congress against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, held in
Stockholm from 27 to 31 August 1996;
3. Calls upon Governments of countries of origin, transit and destination, and regional and international
organizations, as appropriate, to implement the Platform for Action of the Fourth World Conference on Women
by:
(a) Considering the ratification and enforcement of international conventions on trafficking in persons and on
slavery;
(b) Taking appropriate measures to address the root factors, including external factors, that encourage trafficking
in women and girls for prostitution and other forms of commercialized sex, forced marriages and forced labour
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