Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Estonia
Delegate Name: Tejas Karumudi
Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee
Indigenous Languages and Human Trafficking
Republic of Estonia
Tejas Karumudi
Forest Hills Eastern High School
Topic B: Human Trafficking:
Human trafficking is a severe crime of human rights that includes the employment of force, fraud, or coercion to capture people for various forms of labor and sexual services. The United Nations International Labour Organization estimates that globally, 27.6 million people are trafficked per year. In Europe, over 7000 people are trafficked per year with 87% of victims being females and 66% of victims being males. Human trafficking cases are rising in Europe due to promises of prosperity, organized crime, corruption, porous borders, and economic difficulties. Most human trafficking cases in Europe are underreported because there is little information and monitoring of methods and frequencies of trafficking. In response to the rise in human trafficking, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) launched the Global Action Against Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling, an initiative, to address the links between trafficking, smuggling, and other forms of organized crime. Secondly, the UNODC led a campaign to raise awareness about the current disturbing developments and trends in human trafficking. The campaign recruited governments, law enforcement, public services, and citizens to prevent human trafficking. Lastly, the UNODC trained over 3485 officials worldwide to prevent, investigate, and prosecute human trafficking operations. The training was successful as the trainees assisted 264 victims and initiated 241 victims. The Inter-Agency Coordination Group Against Trafficking in Persons issued a “Call for Accelerated Action by 2025 to Prevent and End Child Trafficking” that urged governments to increase efforts against human trafficking. As of 2023, the UNODC dismantled criminal enterprises, convicted criminals, and provided support and protection to victims.
As of 2024, the Republic of Estonia meets the minimum requirements for the elimination of human trafficking. The government of Estonia has increased efforts such as prosecuting perpetrators behind human trafficking and referring victims to victim support services. The Social Insurance Board has hosted anti-trafficking events in high schools nationwide and has developed a pilot training course for teachers on trafficking. In 2023, Estonian officials investigated 13 trafficking cases(one sex-trafficking case and 12 labor-trafficking cases) and prosecuted three suspects for labor trafficking. Amendments were also made to the Tax Administration Act to monitor undocumented foreign workers for signs of labor exploitation. Estonia has also supported international cooperation. For example, Estonian and Uzbek representatives have worked together to develop awareness campaigns about trafficking risks and provide guidance on safe labor migration. One problem is that Estonian authorities convicted fewer traffickers and decreased funding for anti-trafficking activities and victim-support events. Even though Estonia reduced federal spending on anti-trafficking programs, Estonia does not require monetary aid from the United Nations and other countries.
Estonia could improve on increasing its funding on human trafficking and convictions of criminals. Estonia desires to support UN activities against trafficking and recommends countries to cooperate with Estonia on the destruction of human trafficking. Estonia also advises other countries to create initiatives for trying to stop human trafficking and funding UN activities to raise awareness for human trafficking. Estonia is willing to work with UNODC and countries that have anti-trafficking programs to help protect Estonian citizens and help ensure a better future for humans.
Works Cited
“Estonia – European Commission.” Home-Affairs.ec.europa.eu, home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/internal-security/organised-crime-and-human-trafficking/together-against-trafficking-human-beings/eu-countries/estonia_en. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
U.S. Embassy Tallinn. “2024 Trafficking in Persons Report: Estonia.” U.S. Embassy in Estonia, 26 June 2024, ee.usembassy.gov/2024-06-26/. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
