Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Austria
Delegate Name: Matthew Chan
Human trafficking is the slavery of our day. While its roots stretch from historical atrocities like the transatlantic slave trade, the principle, and devastating impacts it perpetuates remain the same: illegal forced movement of persons and exploitation, more often than not for purposes of labor or sex. With greater global interconnectivity, the internet has served to amplify the risks of trafficking, with networks able to operate much more effectively across borders in their exploitation of the most vulnerable around the world. Situated at the crossroads of Europe, Austria is both a country of transit and a destination for victims of human trafficking.
This is while our numbers remain relatively low compared to many countries; they are on continuous ascent. In this country, the Austrian Federal Criminal Police Office recorded 120 trafficking cases in 2022 and 145 trafficking cases reportedly filed in 2023. Most victims identified were said to be trafficked for labor and subsequently used in sexual exploitation. A portion of the identified victims undergo forced criminal activity. Austria has also continued to record vulnerable asylum seekers or refugees in cases, particularly during these European migration crises that keep taking place. Trafficking knows no borders, and Austria needs to cooperate closely with its neighbors, like Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia, to develop coordinated solutions. The main priorities of Austria’s policy involve border security, education in the prevention of trafficking, and strong support systems for victims. Austria has taken concrete steps to combat this heinous crime. Since 2000, Austria has been a party to the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children.
Further, Austria has adhered to the trafficking directives of the European Union, which themselves have changed considerably since first adopted in 2002. Under Austrian law, there are severe punishments for trafficking crimes. It also prescribes sentences that vary from one to up to fifteen years, depending on the gravity of the crime. Along with legislative steps, Austria also adopted its National Action Plan on Combating Human Trafficking. The document focuses on identifying victims, special training of law enforcement officials, building greater public awareness, and consolidating cooperation with international partners, such as OSCE and Interpol. While shelters, medical care, and a reflection period of even up to 90 days allow victims to rebuild their lives. Accordingly, the struggle against this crime needs to be approached both on a national level and internationally, in respect of both preventive and reactive measures. According to the delegation of Austria, this phenomenon ought to be combated while taking more effective border controls together with comprehensive education, and rehabilitation programs for victims included. It takes only cooperation between governments, international organizations, and civil society to break up the networks involved in trafficking and to deliver services to survivors.
Looking ahead, Austria, with the United Nations and with its member states, toward the implementation of solutions, not only the symptoms addressed but also those which go to the very root of this modern-day slavery; together we can create a future free from this slavery.
