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Prevention of trafficking in persons 2010, para. 12
- Paragraph text
- The present report focuses on the prevention of trafficking in persons, which is an integral part of the comprehensive framework to combat and eradicate such trafficking. While the increased attention on the issue of trafficking in recent years has resulted in numerous initiatives and programmes aimed at preventing trafficking in persons, there are concerns that some of them result in the violation of human rights of trafficked persons, particularly when they are not designed on the basis of accurate data and evidence or when the impact and effectiveness are not closely monitored and evaluated.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Prevention of trafficking in persons 2010, para. 15
- Paragraph text
- Through the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Member States pledged to promote universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms. In combating trafficking in persons, this is a fundamental starting point that which warrants more attention than it currently receives, as violations of human rights are both a cause and a consequence of trafficking in persons (E/2002/68/Add.1, guideline 1). Thus, universal respect for human rights must be ensured not only as a goal in itself, but also as a means of preventing trafficking in persons while placing the human rights of trafficked persons at the centre of all prevention efforts.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Regional and subregional cooperation in promoting a human rights-based approach to combatting trafficking in persons 2010, para. 75
- Paragraph text
- Another essential step in guaranteeing the protection of victims is the establishment of adequate referral mechanisms. OSCE has been very active in this regard, promoting the establishment of national referral mechanisms and victim assistance systems at the national level, in order to ensure that all victims have access to support services tailored to the individual victim's needs, from the point of identification up to that of reintegration in society. In this regard, OSCE has developed a practical handbook on "National Referral Mechanisms - Joining Efforts to Protect the Rights of Trafficked Persons".
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Regional and subregional cooperation in promoting a human rights-based approach to combatting trafficking in persons 2010, para. 77
- Paragraph text
- Finally, the CoE Convention sets out a wide range of assistance measures, including physical and psychological assistance and support for the reintegration of victims of trafficking into society. Medical treatment, counselling and information as well as appropriate accommodation are all among the measures provided. Victims are entitled to a minimum of 30 days to recover and escape the influence of the traffickers and to take a decision regarding their possible cooperation with the authorities. A renewable residence permit may be granted if their personal situation so requires or if they need to stay in order to cooperate in criminal investigations.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Regional and subregional cooperation in promoting a human rights-based approach to combatting trafficking in persons 2010, para. 86
- Paragraph text
- The right of trafficked victims to redress is recognized by the Palermo Protocol, which states that "Each State Party shall ensure that its domestic legal system contains measures that offer victims of trafficking in persons the possibility of obtaining compensation for damage suffered" (art. 6.6). The OHCHR Guidelines also recommend that "States shall ensure that trafficked persons are given access to effective and appropriate legal remedies" (Principle 17), and that "States shall, in appropriate cases, freeze and confiscate the assets of individuals and legal persons involved in trafficking. To the extent possible, confiscated assets shall be used to support and compensate victims of trafficking" (Principle 16).
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Regional and subregional cooperation in promoting a human rights-based approach to combatting trafficking in persons 2010, para. 88
- Paragraph text
- The right to access effective legal remedies including compensation for victims of trafficking is dealt with for the first time in a regional legally binding instrument in article 15 of the CoE Convention. This article stipulates that victims should have access, as from their first contact with the competent authorities, to information on relevant judicial and administrative proceedings in a language which they can understand. They should also have access to free legal aid. This article also recognizes the right of victims to compensation and requests States parties to adopt legislative and other measures to guarantee compensation for victims. These measures can include the establishment of a fund for victim compensation and measures or programmes aimed at social assistance and integration of victims, which could be funded by confiscated traffickers' assets and proceeds. In 2008, OSCE also published a study on "Compensation for Trafficked and Exploited Persons in the OSCE Region".
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Regional and subregional cooperation in promoting a human rights-based approach to combatting trafficking in persons 2010, para. 97
- Paragraph text
- In some regions, cooperation efforts are mainly focused on investigating and prosecuting trafficking crimes. While this is welcome, efforts should be made to prioritize protection and assistance to victims. Efforts oriented at adopting new criminal laws and enhancing cross-border judicial cooperation to prosecute traffickers are necessary but not sufficient in themselves. Adopting a human rights-based approach to combating trafficking allows countries to tackle this phenomenon in a comprehensive and effective way, putting the rights of the victims at the centre of the process in accordance with international human rights law. A human rights-based approach also allows for effective prosecution of traffickers, putting the emphasis on the right to effective remedy for the victim. The right to access effective legal remedies and the right to compensation for victims of trafficking have received attention only from a few regional and subregional mechanisms.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
Regional and subregional cooperation in promoting a human rights-based approach to combatting trafficking in persons 2010, para. 103
- Paragraph text
- The CoE is one of the few organizations that has addressed the impact of new information technologies on human trafficking, issuing a report on the "Impact of the use of new information technologies on trafficking in human beings for the purpose of sexual exploitation". The fact that both the demand for, and the recruitment of, victims are increasingly being channelled through technologies such as the Internet, poses completely new challenges in terms of prevention and law enforcement responses to trafficking. Regional cooperation in the conduct of studies and the development of recommendations in this area could be instrumental.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2010
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The right to an effective remedy for trafficked persons 2011, para. 12
- Paragraph text
- The right to an effective remedy is a fundamental human right for all persons, including trafficked persons, which States must respect, protect and fulfil in accordance with international human rights law. It is also a well-established doctrine of international law that a State has an obligation to provide remedies where an act or omission is attributable to it and constitutes a breach of an international obligation of the State. In the context of trafficking in persons, States are under an obligation to provide remedies for trafficked persons where they fail to exercise due diligence to prevent and combat trafficking in persons or to protect the human rights of trafficked persons.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The right to an effective remedy for trafficked persons 2011, para. 25
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur engaged in further dialogues with a number of stakeholders following the presentation of the Human Rights Council report and found that the obstacles discussed above in successfully obtaining remedies are still common in many parts of the world. As far as compensation is concerned, research conducted by the European Action for Compensation for Trafficked Persons project ("COM.PACT project") demonstrated that although there is an emerging awareness about the right to compensation for trafficked persons and the legal frameworks in these European countries allow trafficked persons to claim compensation, the actual receipt of a compensation payment by a trafficked person is extremely rare. While there is a variety of factors that negatively affect trafficked persons' ability to claim compensation, the most common reasons include the lack of knowledge on the part of trafficked persons about their right to compensation, restrictive eligibility criteria for State-funded compensation funds, the failure of law enforcement authorities to confiscate assets or to use confiscated assets to compensate trafficked persons and the lack of jurisprudence on compensation for trafficked persons. Further, discussions at the international round table on "Compensation for trafficked persons in Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine", organized by La Strada Belarus on 10 June 2011, revealed that such obstacles as the lack of information about the right to compensation, the lack of knowledge on the part of judges and lawyers about the victims' right to compensation and the absence of legal aid, significantly reduce trafficked persons' chances of successfully claiming compensation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The right to an effective remedy for trafficked persons 2011, para. 31
- Paragraph text
- The Special Rapporteur reiterates that States have an obligation to provide remedies for trafficked persons where they fail to exercise due diligence to prevent and combat trafficking in persons or to protect the human rights of trafficked persons. Furthermore, States have a duty to respect, protect and fulfil the right to an effective remedy under international human rights law. To this end, States' responses to trafficking should be guided by the objective of implementing the right to an effective remedy for trafficked persons. Trafficked persons must be recognized as holders of rights from the moment when they are identified as trafficked and States should implement measures to facilitate their realization of these rights. As different components of the right to an effective remedy are interrelated with each other, it is crucial for States to provide for a continuum of assistance and support, aimed at restitution, recovery, compensation, satisfaction and guarantees of non-repetition, as appropriate in each individual case.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The right to an effective remedy for trafficked persons 2011, para. 19
- Paragraph text
- At the procedural level, victims of human rights violations must be guaranteed access to a competent and independent authority in order to successfully obtain reparations. Such an authority must have the power to investigate and decide whether a human rights violation has taken place, and if so, to enforce reparations. If the victims are to be provided with meaningful access to such an authority, they must be guaranteed of a set of ancillary rights. First, the victims should be provided with relevant information concerning the right that has been violated, and on the existence of, and modalities for gaining access to, reparation mechanisms. Secondly, they should be provided with legal, medical, psychological, social, administrative and any other assistance that they may require in order to exercise the right to an effective remedy in a meaningful manner.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The right to an effective remedy for trafficked persons 2011, para. 27
- Paragraph text
- A related concern is the absence in many States of a "reflection and recovery period", during which trafficked persons may escape the influence of traffickers, recover psychological stability to consider their options, and make an informed decision as to whether to cooperate with law enforcement authorities without the risk of being removed from the country. This period is not only an integral element of recovery, but also the fundamental first step in seeking other forms of reparations, such as compensation. The security and well-being of trafficked persons, which may be facilitated by the reflection and recovery period, is an essential prerequisite for trafficked persons in seeking compensation. Given the high degree of trauma experienced by trafficked persons, empirical evidence suggests that a minimum period of 90 days is required in order to ensure that the cognitive functioning of trafficked persons improves to a level at which they are able to make informed and thoughtful decisions about their safety and well-being, and provide more reliable information about trafficking-related events. This issue of a "reflection and recovery period" will be explored further in section D, subsection 3.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The right to an effective remedy for trafficked persons 2011, para. 31
- Paragraph text
- Compensation through criminal proceedings may be awarded to victims as part of the penalties imposed upon finding the accused persons guilty of the offence as charged. While some successful cases have been reported, experience shows that the awarding of compensation for trafficked persons through criminal proceedings is the exception rather than the rule. In some countries, courts may not even consider compensation for trafficked persons, as it is not common practice for victims of any crime to be awarded compensation through criminal proceedings. The possibility of compensation through criminal proceedings also hinges upon identification, arrest, trial and conviction of traffickers, which remains difficult in trafficking cases.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The right to an effective remedy for trafficked persons 2011, para. 33
- Paragraph text
- Trafficked persons may also have options of claiming compensation based on labour law violations, such as discrimination, breach of national minimum wage, and unreasonable overtime. While there are some promising practices, the possibility for trafficked persons to obtain compensation through labour proceedings may be restricted by a number of eligibility criteria in practice. In some countries, labour proceedings are not available for trafficked persons engaging in sexual services, as the provision of sexual services itself is illegal and thus not a recognized form of employment to which labour protection applies. Trafficked persons with irregular immigration status may be also excluded from the use of labour proceedings to seek compensation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Equality & Inclusion
- Movement
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The right to an effective remedy for trafficked persons 2011, para. 40
- Paragraph text
- Satisfaction is a non-financial form of reparation designed to compensate moral damage or damage to the dignity or reputation of the victim. It includes measures such as the verification of the facts and full and public disclosure of the truth, an official declaration or a judicial decision restoring the dignity, the reputation and the rights of the victim and of persons close to the victim, and judicial and administrative sanctions against perpetrators. These measures translate into the obligations of States to conduct a prompt, effective, independent and impartial investigation into human rights violations. Guarantees of non-repetition are geared towards the prevention of human rights violations and include measures such as strengthening the independence of the judiciary, providing human rights education to all sectors of society and training for law enforcement officials, and promoting the observance of codes of conduct and ethical norms by public servants.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Social & Cultural Rights
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The right to an effective remedy for trafficked persons 2011, para. 43
- Paragraph text
- First and foremost, information relating to trafficked persons' rights and mechanisms available to seek remedies is critical in ensuring their access to remedies. Trafficked persons can only seek remedies if they are aware of their rights and how to access such remedies. The importance of providing information is stressed in the Palermo Protocol, which requires States Parties to establish measures that provide trafficked persons with "information on relevant court and administrative proceedings". Experience indicates, however, that there is very little evidence of State practices in informing trafficked persons about their right to remedies, and the provision of information to trafficked persons in a manner that is appropriate in terms of language, content, form and timing remains a challenge.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The right to an effective remedy for trafficked persons 2011, para. 45
- Paragraph text
- Equally important is the content and form of information to be provided to trafficked persons. Trafficked persons should be provided with full and accurate information about their legal rights, how and where to obtain necessary assistance, different legal options and procedural steps involved in seeking remedies, and consequences of exercising such legal options. Information may be provided in writing such as in leaflets so that trafficked persons may reflect on the information at any time, and/or through hotlines and the Internet to increase accessibility to appropriate information. If the trafficked person wishes to pursue judicial proceedings, the provision of information may also take the form of familiarizing him or her with trial processes through observation of another court proceeding, if possible.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Civil & Political Rights
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The right to an effective remedy for trafficked persons 2011, para. 47
- Paragraph text
- As judicial and administrative proceedings are often complex in many jurisdictions, legal assistance is essential to enable trafficked persons to claim compensation, especially where they are not familiar with the legal system of the country concerned. While not specifically referring to "legal" assistance, article 6, paragraph 2 (b), of the Palermo Protocol mandates States to provide "assistance to enable their views and concerns to be presented and considered at appropriate stages of criminal proceedings against offenders, in a manner not prejudicial to the rights of the defence". More specifically, paragraph 9 of the Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and Human Trafficking provides that "legal and other assistance shall be provided to trafficked persons for the duration of any criminal, civil or other actions against suspected traffickers". Furthermore, trafficked persons should be provided with legal assistance free of charge. Trafficked persons who have just escaped from their traffickers often have no financial means to afford legal assistance, given their financial dependence on their traffickers who use debt bondage as a control tool.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The right to an effective remedy for trafficked persons 2011, para. 51
- Paragraph text
- Following a reflection and recovery period, trafficked persons should be provided with temporary or permanent residence status on certain grounds. Firstly, trafficked persons should be entitled to remain in the country where remedies are being sought for the duration of any criminal, civil or administrative proceedings. In this regard, article 7 of the Palermo Protocol should be read in conjunction with the mandatory requirements under article 6, paragraphs 2(b) and 6. As it would be almost impossible for trafficked persons to seek compensation through legal proceedings if they are unable to lawfully remain in the country, article 7 should be interpreted to encourage States to provide trafficked persons with temporary residence status for the purpose of seeking remedies. Secondly, trafficked persons should be granted temporary or permanent residence status on social or humanitarian grounds. Such grounds may include, for instance, the inability to guarantee a safe and secure return, the fears of reprisals and retaliation by traffickers, the risk of being re-trafficked, or the return is otherwise not in the best interests of the trafficked person. Another factor that should be taken into account is the obligation of States not to return trafficked persons to States where they have a well-founded fear of persecution. Some victims or potential victims of trafficking may fall within the definition of a refugee contained in article 1(A)(2) of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and may therefore be entitled to international refugee protection. In these circumstances, temporary or permanent residence status may in itself become a substantial form of remedy.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Movement
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The right to an effective remedy for trafficked persons 2011, para. 71
- Paragraph text
- Where State-funded compensation schemes for victims of crime exist, States should abolish eligibility criteria which have the effect of preventing trafficked persons from seeking compensation, such as nationality and long-term residence requirements. Where no compensation scheme exists, States should consider establishing one that provides compensation to trafficked persons and using confiscated assets and tax deductible voluntary donations to finance such a scheme. Compensation through such scheme should be available to all groups of trafficked persons on a non-discriminatory basis.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2011
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The issue of human trafficking in supply chains 2012, para. 18
- Paragraph text
- Labour laws are a powerful tool to prevent and combat trafficking in supply chains, given that matters regulated thereunder, such as recruitment and employment of workers, wages and working conditions, may serve as operational indicators of trafficking. For example, deception about the nature of the job, location or employer may strongly indicate that the worker in question has been trafficked. Victims of trafficking in persons are often recruited and promised prosperous employment opportunities by unscrupulous recruitment agencies or labour brokers, only to end up in situations of exploitation after recruitment. Excessive working hours and debt bondage are other strong indicators of trafficking in persons and the Special Rapporteur has documented numerous cases in which trafficked persons were forced to work for more than 12 hours a day with very little pay in various sectors, typically including agriculture, food processing and garments and textile (see, for example, A/HRC/20/18/Add.2, paras. 9-12). Many States have in place, recently adopted or amended labour laws, requiring the registration of recruitment agencies and labour brokers, setting a minimum wage, placing a cap on the number of working hours, providing for breaks and holiday periods and prescribing occupational health and safety standards. While it is beyond the scope of the present report to scrutinize States' labour laws, the weak enforcement of those laws, rather than their provisions, often gives rise to risks of trafficking in many States. The Special Rapporteur has observed during past official visits that labour inspectors are often not well-equipped in terms of resources and capacity to conduct inspections to detect violations of labour laws, including in cases of trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation (see, for example, A/HRC/14/32/Add.4, A/HRC/17/35/Add.2 and A/HRC/20/18/Add.2). There are encouraging signs, however, that some States are progressively strengthening the capacity of labour inspectors to prevent labour exploitation. For example, in Argentina, the authorities reportedly launched a more rigorous labour inspection programme in January 2011 and increased the number of labour inspectors to 400 throughout the country, targeting rural areas in particular. The Special Rapporteur commends this positive development, given that it was reported at the time of her official visit to Argentina that the labour inspection programme was ineffective and investigations into forced labour cases rarely carried out (see A/HRC/17/35/Add.4, para. 18). In Brazil, mobile inspection teams, comprising labour inspectors, labour prosecutors and federal police officers, investigate complaints of slave labour, rescue victims and impose fines on employers in breach of labour laws. Since 1995, more than 39,000 workers have reportedly been rescued.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The issue of human trafficking in supply chains 2012, para. 30
- Paragraph text
- On the other side of the coin, there are positive incentives for businesses to contribute to efforts to combat human trafficking. By taking an active role in preventing and combating trafficking, companies can enhance their brand image and reputation among consumers, investors and other influential stakeholders. Their investment of resources in local communities to mitigate factors that place them at risk of trafficking, such as lack of access to education and employment opportunities, may also strengthen the relationship with local stakeholders and generate positive effects in the long term by producing a better-skilled and better-educated local workforce.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Economic Rights
- Movement
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The issue of human trafficking in supply chains 2012, para. 38
- Paragraph text
- For a voluntary code of conduct or initiative to be effective in preventing human trafficking in supply chains, it is not sufficient for it to simply state a commitment to combating human trafficking. It should, at a minimum, provide for the undertaking of a risk assessment to map out all actors involved in the supply chain and identify where the risks of human trafficking may be present. This should be followed by the development and implementation of a high-level, company-wide policy prohibiting trafficking and trafficking-related acts at all levels of the supply chain. The implementation of the policy by all suppliers should be monitored and assessed by social auditors who are properly trained in the issue of human trafficking. The policy should also contain a set of remedial measures that a company should take if trafficking cases are found in supply chains, such as referral to victim support agencies and ensuring victims' access to grievance mechanisms. In developing corporate strategies to prevent and combat trafficking in supply chains, businesses should also consult and cooperate with civil society organizations with expertise in trafficking issues.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
The issue of human trafficking in supply chains 2012, para. 43
- Paragraph text
- The above analysis attests that, to address human trafficking in supply chains effectively, a multi-stakeholder approach is warranted. Human trafficking in supply chains not only involves States' failure to prevent trafficking through legislative or other measures, but also companies' failure to refrain from using trafficked labour or to prevent trafficking committed by its partners. The roles of consumers and the media are also significant, given that they are able to shape corporate behaviour by affecting companies' bottom line. The solution to the problem of human trafficking in supply chains lies beyond the reach of any single stakeholder, whether State or company. To address risks of trafficking in supply chains in an effective and sustainable manner, a broad vision and strategy based on cooperation and partnership among all relevant actors are crucial.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- N.A.
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
A human rights-based approach to the administration of criminal justice in cases of trafficking in persons 2012, para. 23
- Paragraph text
- Trafficked persons are often arrested, detained, charged and even prosecuted for such unlawful activities as entering illegally, working illegally or engaging in prostitution. The vulnerability of trafficked persons to such treatment is often directly linked to their situation: their identity documents may be forged or have been taken away from them, and the exploitative activities in which they are or have been engaged, such as prostitution, soliciting or begging, may be illegal in the State of destination. Criminalization is also possible in countries of origin, where returned victims of trafficking may be penalized for unlawful or unauthorized departure.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Movement
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Persons on the move
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
A human rights-based approach to the administration of criminal justice in cases of trafficking in persons 2012, para. 24
- Paragraph text
- In many cases, criminalization is tied to a failure of the State to identify the victim correctly; trafficked persons arrested, detained and charged not as victims of trafficking, but as smuggled or undocumented workers. The Special Rapporteur notes that efforts to identify trafficked persons as victims deserving of protections are often complicated by the problem of "imperfect" victims. Some victims may have committed crimes, whether willingly or as a result of force, fraud or coercion, prior to becoming or in conjunction with becoming a trafficking victim, thereby making it hard to distinguish victims from perpetrators.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
A human rights-based approach to the administration of criminal justice in cases of trafficking in persons 2012, para. 29
- Paragraph text
- Other laws provide more limited protection for trafficked persons. For example, in Azerbaijan, trafficked persons are exempt from liability only for deeds committed under coercion or intimidation while being trafficked. In Jamaica, the law provides for immunity from prosecution if a victim of trafficking breaches immigration or prostitution laws. In Slovakia, while criminal liability for victims is not explicitly excluded, being a victim of trafficking is considered to be a mitigating circumstance. Lithuanian law currently provides that victims of trafficking not be punished for engaging in prostitution; draft amendments to the Penal Code exempt victims of trafficking from any criminal act committed as a direct consequence of their situation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
A human rights-based approach to the administration of criminal justice in cases of trafficking in persons 2012, para. 55
- Paragraph text
- It should be recalled that these persons are first and foremost victims of trafficking who, by virtue of that status, are entitled to immediate protection and support. International law clearly states that all trafficked persons have a right to protection from further harm, a right to privacy, and a right to physical and psychological care and support. Trafficked persons also have a right to be informed of their legal options and given the time, space and help required to consider those options carefully. In some cases, this may require the regularization of the trafficked person's legal status to allow them access to services and to protect them from deportation.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Movement
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph
A human rights-based approach to the administration of criminal justice in cases of trafficking in persons 2012, para. 57
- Paragraph text
- Proactive investigations that seek to collect evidence to obviate or support victim testimony are another way for States to realize their due diligence obligation to prosecute trafficking without unduly burdening victims. The Special Rapporteur notes that alternative or corroborative evidence may be difficult to collect in trafficking cases because of limited resources and a lack of trained officials, particularly in States most affected by trafficking. The situation may also be compounded by the hidden nature of the crime and the lack of concrete records or indicators of criminal activity. It is important to acknowledge that substituting victim testimony with alternative evidence may not allow for full and effective prosecution. Nevertheless, the added value of such evidence merits attention, not least because the discovery of additional or corroborative evidence may alleviate some of the pressure put on victims during the prosecution process.
- Body
- Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children
- Document type
- Special Procedures' report
- Topic(s)
- Governance & Rule of Law
- Violence
- Person(s) affected
- All
- Year
- 2012
- Date added
- Aug 19, 2019
Paragraph