Prevent, combat human trafficking: UNHR expert

‘Migrants contribute to prosperity’

GENEVA, July 30, (KUNA): The United Nations Human Rights expert Maria-Grazia Giammarinaro, in a statement Monday, called on states around the world to act now to strengthen their efforts to prevent and combat trafficking in human beings. “Many people who fall prey to traffickers are migrants, including refugees and asylum seekers, who have decided to leave their country for various reasons, such as conflict, natural disaster, persecution or extreme poverty.

They have left behind their social protection network, and are particularly vulnerable to trafficking and exploitation”, she added in a statement to mark world day against human trafficking on July 30.

In the current poisonous anti-migration political atmosphere, migrants are often targeted as a threat, while in reality they contribute to the prosperity of the host countries where they live and work.

Policies

In this context, the anti-trafficking discourse is often misused to justify restrictive migration policies and pushback activities. Taking a stand against xenophobic and racist approaches, as well as violence, hatred and discrimination, is a moral duty, which is in everyone’s power. States have an obligation to prevent trafficking. It is a gross human rights violation. In the context of the Global Migration Compact, States should establish — in addition to international protection schemes — individualized procedures and appropriate indicators to identify migrants’ vulnerabilities to trafficking and exploitation, and provide them with tailored solutions to prevent further harm.

In many countries, human rights activists and civil society organizations have been criminalized and ostracized for acting in solidarity with migrants and victims and potential victims of trafficking.