Human Trafficking

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: South Africa
Delegate Name: Homayon Khalili

The violation of human rights has been a prevalent issue on the world stage for a while, and it is more crucial now than ever to find a solution to this pressing topic. Human trafficking is a problem that victimizes people through coerced work and sexual abuse, among other forms of modern-day slavery, on a large scale across the globe. It flourishes in areas with levels of poverty and inequality, as well as ineffective law enforcement where disadvantaged groups face obstacles to education and job opportunities along with legal safeguards, and it disproportionately affects women and children. A million individuals are trapped in forced labor or sexual exploitation at any moment, with a notable majority being women and children. Human trafficking has many enduring effects, such as physical harm, emotional distress, illness, and a hazardous environment, leading to immense pain and early loss of life. The issue of trafficking has long-lasting impacts on communities by worsening poverty cycles and violating human rights standards while supporting global organized crime networks; it stands out as a critical humanitarian and security concern in the modern era.
The Republic of South Africa powerfully condemns human trafficking and views it as a profound violation of human rights and a significant threat to global security and development. South Africa plays a role in international initiatives to fight trafficking and is dedicated to eliminating this atrocious crime within and outside its borders with utmost seriousness. Recognizing its position as a source point where victims start their journey through transit routes to their destinations and as a country where individuals end up being trafficked, South Africa acknowledges the pressing need for actions to stop trafficking activities effectively by preventing it beforehand and ensuring the safety of victims while holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. Human exploitation in South Africa involves coerced work arrangements, the exploitation of individuals for purposes, and the illegal use of children for activities deemed unlawful. Groups like women and children as migrants and refugees are particularly impacted by these issues. Issues like disparities and joblessness, along with border controls, contribute to the increased occurrences of trafficking within the nation. South Africa has recently ratified the United Nations Protocol to Prevent and Criminalize Trafficking in Persons (the Palermo Protocol). Despite challenges such as resource constraints and corruption obstacles that impede trafficking efforts against sophisticated global networks targeting women and children, South Africa is committed to aligning policies with international standards diligently. Furthermore, By enacting the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act in 201, South Africa is ensuring that traffickers are brought to justice while also providing protection for victims and preventing instances of trafficking. South Africa has also partnered with regional organizations like the Southern African Development Community ( SADC) to enhance collaboration across borders in dismantling trafficking networks.
South Africa is dedicated to fighting against trafficking as it sees it as a threat to dignity and sustainable progress. By improving laws that support victims and working with countries, South Africa wants to set a positive example in the worldwide fight against trafficking. The nation urges countries to work pool resources and develop new approaches to eradicate this widespread crime. Working together collaboratively enables us to create a fairer world where the scourge of human trafficking no longer infringes upon the rights of people.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Russian Federation
Delegate Name: Simon Rothstein

The Russian Federation realizes that this is grave crime that needs to be addressed. Human trafficking violates human rights and drastically hurts social and economic development of many countries. Human trafficking is a global problem that demands a cooperative response. Russia strongly advocates a sound legal framework, acting together with other states, and efforts directed at prevention and rehabilitation.
Millions of people are victims of various forms of abuse: forced labor, sexual trafficking, and other forms of slavery. In the case of Russia, the prevalence of the issue has urged the Russian Federation to devise multiple plans of action in response. Russia has amended its Criminal Code by making substantial changes and formed various law enforcement units for addressing human trafficking. Awareness campaigns on trafficking, especially to vulnerable groups, have also been created. Russia has also designed educational programs and public service announcements to inform these groups and protect them from trafficking. What’s more, Russia established a comprehensive support system for victims of trafficking that includes shelters, medical care, psychological support, and legal assistance.
The Russian Federation firmly stands for the development of effective international cooperation in combating human trafficking. Russia has joined several international documents, including the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its Protocols on Trafficking in Persons. In the context of fighting this type of crime, Russia collaborates with other countries and international organizations on information exchange, performing joint operations, and strengthening border security.
The Russian Federation would like to recommend, in addition to what has been said to support the efforts of the world against human trafficking: working together internationally, improving laws, and helping human trafficking victims. To improve cooperation with other countries, Russia wants to share ways to prevent human trafficking, help develop and grow training programs for law enforcement, and carry out joint operations across borders. It also calls for countries to clarify their laws against human trafficking and to have ready legal actions for effectively prosecuting traffickers while protecting the rights of victims. The next thing Russia wants to focus more on is helping and rehabilitating victims. International funding and resources should contribute to such programs and be used to care for the victims of this crime. Lastly, the Russian Federation will begin international awareness campaigns to inform the public of human trafficking that will reach both potential victims and the general public.
The Russian Federation emphatically reiterates its commitment in combating human trafficking. We believe that, together with the international community, strengthening legal measures, and comprehensive support for victims, it will be possible to take a big step toward the elimination of this grave violation of human rights. The Russian Federation is looking forward with great interest to working in close cooperation with other UN delegates to develop efficient and sustainable solutions to combat human trafficking.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Jordan
Delegate Name: Sana Jindal

Millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide, every year. Human trafficking is a grave violation of human rights, a contemporary form of slavery that exploits the most vulnerable and thrives in the shadows. Victims are often subjected to forced labor, sexual exploitation, or other forms of abuse, stripping them of their dignity and freedom. This crime operates across borders and within communities, fueled by systemic issues such as poverty, corruption, and conflict, making it a truly global challenge.
In Jordan, Human trafficking is a multifaceted issue that has not gone unnoticed and it is actively working on combating this heinous issue. While the government of Jordan does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking, it is making increasing efforts to eliminate human trafficking. These efforts include increasing conviction and applying adequate prison times to convicted traffickers, identifying more victims and potential victims, providing shelter and assistance to more victims, and improving shelter bylaws to improve access to services for potential victims incentives outside of law enforcement actions.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain. Jordan faces difficulties in enforcing anti-trafficking laws consistently, addressing root causes such as economic vulnerability, and managing the complexities of its significant migrant worker population. Moreover, ongoing regional conflicts and the presence of refugees within Jordan’s borders worsen the risks of exploitation, making it essential to strengthen preventative and protective measures.
By building on its existing frameworks, Jordan can further its fight against trafficking while contributing to broader global initiatives to end this pervasive crime.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Greece
Delegate Name: Dia Sriram

Dia Sriram
Greece
Human Trafficking
Social, Humanitarian, & Cultural Committee
Forest Hills Central High School

The United Nations defines human trafficking as the recruitment, transportation, or harboring of individuals through force, fraud, or coercion for the purpose of exploitation. This exploitation is a global crisis that affects up to 50 million people worldwide today. Human trafficking is a multimillion-dollar criminal industry that has thrived despite the current world efforts due to poverty, conflict, and weak enforcement of policies such as the 2000 UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons
This UN protocol identifies three key elements of human trafficking: the act, the means, and the purpose, which together outline the mechanisms of this crime. Addressing this issue requires extreme preventative measures, victim protection, and prosecution of offenders, along with coordinated and fast international action.

Greece has long been affected by human trafficking due to its geographic position between Europe, Asia, and Africa. As a member of the European Union, Greece plays a key role in managing migration flows, which often intersect with trafficking networks. Greece has taken significant steps to address trafficking, including the National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, which focuses on prevention, protection, and prosecution, and national laws such as Article 323A of the Greek Penal Code, criminalize trafficking and enact severe penalties for offenders. Greece also supports victim protection services, including shelters, counseling, and legal aid.

Historically, Greece has worked with neighboring countries and international organizations to fight trafficking. Key events include participation in the development of the EU Anti-Trafficking Directive, which sets common standards for member states, and partnerships with NGOs to support victims.

Today, Greece remains an advocate for combating human trafficking, especially in human trafficking’s connection to migration. As a transit country for migrants and refugees, Greece has strengthened border controls and increased efforts to identify and assist trafficking victims. The government works with the EU and other international organizations to fund anti-trafficking initiatives and provides training for law enforcement to recognize and respond to trafficking cases effectively.

Internationally, the UN has established key frameworks to combat trafficking, including the 2000 UN Protocol and various resolutions by the General Assembly. The Protocol has been ratified by 181 nations, including Greece, demonstrating the global commitment to combating trafficking. The EU has also adopted measures such as the EU Strategy on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings, which emphasizes prevention, protection, and international cooperation. Countries have implemented diverse approaches, from awareness campaigns to enhanced border security, to tackle the issue. Greece actively participates in these efforts, contributing to joint operations and data-sharing initiatives to disrupt trafficking networks.

To strengthen efforts against human trafficking, Greece proposes many solutions that could be beneficial and vital for stopping the spread and perpetuation of human trafficking. This includes creating an INTERPOL-managed global database to enhance coordination, training border personnel to identify and assist victims, and increasing resources for shelters and reintegration programs. Public awareness campaigns should be funded and created to educate communities on recognizing trafficking, while an annual summit should be established to assess progress and fund solutions. Greece offers to co-host and contribute its expertise.

Human trafficking is a violation of human rights that requires urgent action. Greece, with its strategic position and commitment to combating trafficking, is dedicated to supporting international initiatives. By helping in cooperation, supporting victims, and stopping root causes, the global community can make significant strides in eradicating this crime.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: United States of America
Delegate Name: Soraya Parke

Every year millions of men, women, and children are trafficked worldwide. The United States (US) is ranked one of the worst countries for humantrafficking. Human trafficking is an abuse of human rights and a horrendous crime. Additionally, it hinders national and economic security. Human traffickers prey on people of all ages, backgrounds, and nationalities, exploiting them for their own profit.For example, often victims of human trafficking are forced to take part in human labor and unauthorized sexual activities. Currently, there is an estimate of 27.6 million human trafficking victims at any given time worldwide.
Human trafficking has a long and unpleasant history in the US. Begining with the transatlantic slave trade. The transatlantic slave trade brought millions of enslaved Africans over to the US during the the 16th-19th centuries. The slaves were taken from their home and aggressively transported to the US. In the US Africans were sold into slavery and forced labor. During this period, many slaves attempted to escape, few were successful and most some were not. The slaves who were caught running were severely punished by their owners. Slavery ended in the US as a result of the 13th amendment in 1865. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s the United States passed laws banning the consumption and selling of alcohol and drugs.. However, this ban caused more substances to get sold on the black market. This then led to a rise in organized crimes which morphed into trafficking, such as prostitution and forced labor. During this period trafficking became a serious problem for women because they were forced to perform sexual activities against their will. This caused the government to create and pass laws to help stop trafficking but the problem continued. In the late 20th century human trafficking became worse. We see this through the growth of the sex industry, illegal immigration networks, and criminal organizations, which have all helped the rise of trafficking in the form we see today.
Now despite everything the government has tried, human trafficking continues to be a huge problem today. The US, Mexico, and Central America are hotspots for the act. In 2019, there were over 11,000 reported cases of human trafficking in the US, but the actual number is likely much higher. Human trafficking is also tied to drug trafficking and other forms of criminal activities. The US has taken a few steps to try to solve this problem. One example was when the US passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Act in 2000, this act gave resources and support to victims. The US government has also worked to raise awareness around this issue and are currently providing training to the law enforcements and other stakeholders to make sure they know how to properly handle the situation and prevent it. The rise of technology and social media has also brought forth a new tactic for traffickers. It allows them to use an online platform to or recruit victims. There are many challenges that America faces..The US continues to lead the way with the TIP Report and initiatives like the Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons. However, addressing the large issue of human trafficking requires a multifaceted approach that involves strengthening legal frameworks, improving victim support services, enhancing international cooperation, and addressing the root causes of vulnerability. These include poverty, gender inequality, and violence. The ongoing challenge is ensuring that trafficking victims are protected, traffickers are prosecuted, and the cycle of exploitation is broken. While more progress is being made in combating these crimes, more needs to be
done to ensure all individuals are free from the fear of one day being abducted themselves. Taking down human traffickers requires a lot of effort. Within governments, this means the participation of many different agencies with different responsibilities. The future of human trafficking in the Americas, while influenced by ongoing efforts to stop it, will likely still continue to be shaped by evolving trends in migration, technology, economic instability, and social inequality. The future of combating human trafficking will rely on the creation of stronger and more coordinated legal frameworks. And international help in tracking them down and providing protection for victims will be essential. Regional organizations, like the Organization of American States (OAS), are already working on creating more standardized anti-trafficking protocols, and there may be greater cooperation between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Central American countries. Additionally, victim-centered approaches will likely become more prominent, focusing not only on prosecuting traffickers but also on providing comprehensive support to survivors, including mental health care, job training, and legal assistance. We also want to spread a lot more awareness to the public. This will be key in making sure everyone stays informed about trafficking and also to make sure that they stay safe. We should target our ads to more vulnerable populations so that they are aware of the danger they could face. To truly stop human trafficking in the United States, the long term goal must focus on addressing the problem from its root causes of exploitation, such as poverty, gender inequality, lack of education, and political instability. Countries should start to invest in social infrastructure, like education, healthcare, and job creation, particularly in more vulnerable places. But this will only work when the efforts of national and international governments work together. Sustained efforts to address root causes, enforce laws, and raise awareness will be critical to mitigating the impact of trafficking in the future.

Human trafficking is a multimillion dollar criminal industry. Whether we like to believe it or not it surrounds all of us. There is no one way to traffick someone, in fact there are many factors that play into it like transportation, transference, and holding of people against their will. The three core elements that define the act of human trafficking are the act ( which is always for exploitation, the means (how the individual is sold/exploited), and the purpose (which is always for exploitation) according to the United Nations. Per the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish trafficking in persons, it has been defined as. “…the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.” Since then there have been multiple resolutions and treaties put in place by the United Nations. As of February 2023 181 nations partake in the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons included in the 2000 UN convention against transnational organized crime. This protocol is to be kept in mind when making the next steps.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Sweden
Delegate Name: Jenna Zaidan

Jenna Zaidan
Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee
Human Trafficking
Sweden
Mattawan High School

It is estimated by the International Labor Organization that 49.6 million people live in modern slavery around the world. That is about 1 in every 150 people being subjected to a form of trafficking, be it for sex, labor, forced marriage, etc. This epidemic stretches beyond borders, across continents, and is bigger than global politics.
The UN has addressed this issue through acts such as the 2000 Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons. This Protocol is the first international agreement to legally define human trafficking, aiding in the identification of victims; it also lays out steps to be taken for the reintegration and protection of victims. The UN has also conducted seven Global Reports on Trafficking in Persons since 2010, when the United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons was enacted. These reports serve to analyze trafficking cases in every country to provide an overview of the global, national, and regional responses being taken. It provides country profiles and establishes patterns of trafficking across the globe.
Sweden has been in support of UN actions to stop trafficking, such as the Protocol. While Sweden is ranked as a Tier 1 country, it does still have trafficking cases. In 2022, there were 169 reported trafficking cases, with only 9 being prosecuted. In 2023, there were 344 reported cases, 37 of which were prosecuted. This is a twofold increase in cases, but a fourfold increase in prosecution. The increased prosecution is due to the Swedish Gender Equality Agency, which received 13 million Swedish krona in 2022 to expand its anti-trafficking efforts. This included the expansion of the National Task Force against Prostitution and Human Trafficking (NMT). The NMT coordinates a number of government agencies, including the Swedish Police Agency and the Swedish Prosecution Authority, to combat prostitution and trafficking.
As mostly a transit and destination country, Sweden is very concerned with the identification of victims and the punishment of traffickers. It would support solutions centered around education, evaluation, and protection. Educating law enforcement officers and the general public on human trafficking dangers would help the apprehension of traffickers. Additionally, correctly and quickly evaluating whether someone is a victim is an important strategy in the fight against trafficking. Sweden would support international guidelines and formulas for easy evaluations. Finally, reintegrating victims safely back into society is very important to Sweden. The delegation from Sweden advocates for welfare programs and resources designated for victim support. With plans centered around these three targets, Sweden believes international strides can be made in the fight against human trafficking.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Viet Nam
Delegate Name: Navaneet Murali

Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian Committee
Indigenous Languages
The Socialist Republic Of Vietnam
Nav Murali
Forest Hills Eastern

Indigenous languages are crucial to maintaining the ethnic identity and cultures of indigenous peoples. While all the indigenous languages put together take less than 6% of the globe, there are over 4,000 languages spoken. Notably these ethnic languages are disappearing at a high rate, with over 95% of 300 languages likely to be extinct by the year 2050. This jeopardizes the expression of diverse cultures. The United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Article 13, articulates the right to revitalize, develop, use, and transmit these languages to future generations. In Vietnam, there are many languages such as Khmer, and Cham that are in danger.

Since the older generation is starting to pass, the younger generation prefers to use Vietnamese rather than the old indigenous languages. In order to solve this problem, currently the Vietnamese government is trying to adopt bilingualism programs in regions where ethnic minorities are mostly present. These programs try to bring about convenience in learning by gathering both Vietnamese and local indigenous languages together. However, this program appears at different levels and still has many difficulties. Another concept that Vietnam is currently implementing is the Cultural Preservation Initiative. Various programs and festivals promote the languages and awareness of the many ethnic minorities in Vietnam. It also promotes awareness among the newer generation to reach out and participate in their ethnic awareness. Also, Vietnam is cooperating with international bodies such as UNESCO through which it intends to align with global efforts at preserving linguistic diversity. In fact, partnerships translate to a framework and resources that can help keep the indigenous languages relevant in the country. Despite these, a number of challenges remain salient: limitations of resources, the dominance of Vietnamese in education, and comprehensive policy implementation.

In addressing this, policies should be geared toward measures that would encourage indigenous communities to establish educational buildings, increase access to language learning, and create awareness. This involves the use of digital tools, especially social media, and international collaboration, in preserving these languages. This way, the survival of the indigenous languages and their cultures can be secured.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Israel
Delegate Name: Harini Manikandan

United Nations Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee
Human Trafficking
Israel
Harini Manikandan
City High School
Human trafficking is one of the most terrible crimes committed in our world today. It removes a person’s dignity, freedom, and basic human rights. 27.6 million people are currently victims of trafficking with 71% of the trafficked people being women and children for sexual services. However, with such a vast amount of victims, only 10,000 traffickers are convicted worldwide for their crimes per year. Many countries do not even convict traffickers due to the corruption in society. The amount of lives human trafficking has taken from families and communities is countless, and to save human lives, we must put an immediate stop to this issue.

Time is crucial in a crisis such as this one. The State of Israel has started some steps to combat this issue in our country. We passed the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons Law (2006) to define and criminalize all forms of human trafficking, including labor, sex, and organ trade with strict penalties for traffickers. We also have anti-trafficking task forces and victim rehabilitation programs. Although we have taken steps to fix this issue, we must accomplish more together. Israel has a high population of immigrants, which has led to forced labor issues, and we are a destination country for trafficking from Eastern Europe and Africa leading to more sales of humans in our nation. Global collaboration is the only way we can reduce the bloodshed of innocents worldwide and stop trafficking.

Israel emphasizes the dire situation of human trafficking across the globe, and we believe some key changes are necessary. Israel has agreed with many United Nations anti-trafficking resolutions like the Palermo Protocol, and we hope to collaborate to create more. We firmly stand for working together to safeguard borders and stop the spread of trafficking. We believe in finding non-political solutions while being mindful of each nation’s regional complexities.

Finally, Israel thinks that human trafficking is not just the kidnapping and sale of a person, but it includes many internal issues that we need to solve. We believe that there must be better prevention with human trafficking disproportionately affecting the poor. Many people are pushed economically into this modern-day slavery, and it has to stop. Many underprivileged people are not aware of the dangers around them, leading to easy kidnappings. Better education about these issues will let the population be safer. Additionally, corruption is rampant across the world, and it has caused many criminals to run free and repeat their crimes. Like mentioned before, the border crossings also bring challenges that only good teamwork and collaboration will solve. Victim blaming is also an issue that Israel would like to focus on. Rehabilitation centers for victims and helping them reintegrate in society is crucial. Many victims after they are rescued end up committing suicide due to societal stigma. Israel looks forward to fixing these issues, implementing stronger policies, and saving lives by working together with all delegations.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Cuba
Delegate Name: James Warner

Human trafficking is a crude violation of human rights that is widely condemned and that is known typically as a violation of individuals through force, fraud, or coercion for various inhumane reasons such as labor, sexual exploitation, or involuntary servitude. It is a global dilemma that affects millions, including men, women, and children, and is indiscriminate in location as it happens all across the planet and regardless of socioeconomic backgrounds. The implications of human trafficking are immense, both for the individuals directly correlated and for societies and states worldwide as a whole.

The Cuban government’s policies designed to prevent and diminish human trafficking as well as punitive policies for perpetrators/violators are all lacking in quality and quantity. Human rights as an entire activist body are not recognized as legitimate or vital to society by the Cuban government. In 2023 it was found that the government was the cause for democracy activists deaths in the past. A considerable amount of medical labor exploitation has also been in connection to the funding of the Cuban regime.

Standing from this point forth Cuba intends to put forth legislation proposals in order to chip away at institutionalized exploitation and maltreatment of medical care workers. Cuba also hopes that through legislation building up to aid in the initiative to squash this harm against humanity will set an example for other countries whom are neglecting this vile issue or in some ways contributing to its success and viability as a leader to move forward on a path of retribution especially for those directly affected by trafficking. In addition to trafficking Cuba is optimistic that resolving one human rights matter will lead to human rights being recognized as a whole under the regime.

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.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Bangladesh
Delegate Name: Fletcher Fahling

Human trafficking is a very serious violation of human rights that often includes people crossing national borders, making it an issue of international concern. Measures like the 2000 Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children and the 1979 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women adopted by the UN have laid out goals and actions for nations to take in order to work together on eliminating this awful practice. With these in mind, Bangladesh believes that we can improve our response to this issue, both as an international community and as individual nations.
Nationally, Bangladesh has put in place many measures to address human trafficking, including free legal aid and safe houses for victims, special training for border inspectors, and prevention training for migrant workers leaving the country. However, despite these measures, human trafficking remains a serious problem. Bangladesh simply does not have enough resources to properly address a problem of this scale: even with specialized tribunals and mobile courts, the justice system ended 2022 with a backlog of over 4,000 trafficking and labor violation cases. Bangladesh has benefited greatly from third party and UN organization interventions and aid (such as that provided via UNODC, Winrock International, and the International Organization for Migration), and will support proposals to increase and expand the operating power and scope of these and similar organizations.
Bangladesh also recognizes risk factors that result in vulnerability to human trafficking and forced labor, such as economic disadvantage, legal work/immigration status, lack of education, and lack of community support. Solutions in this realm might look like aid to get people educated and into gainful employment. In Bangladesh, a large vulnerable population are the Rohingya refugees living in the country. Since it is difficult for them to gain the legal ability to work, they can end up vulnerable to trafficking and other illegal work practices. Additionally, migrant workers sent abroad are vulnerable to trafficking, and Bangladesh has limited ability to assist victims outside of the country. Due to these factors, Bangladesh will support proposals that include provisions for the aid and protection of refugees and migrant workers.
Bangladesh has an extensive national strategy and systems already put in place to mitigate human trafficking. However, human trafficking is an issue that requires international support and cooperation. Through expansion and clarification of current protocols and organizations, the delegation of Bangladesh believes that a difference and an improvement in this area can be made, both nationally and internationally.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Ukraine
Delegate Name: Nico Sproule

General Assembly: Social, Humanitarian & Cultural Committee
Human Trafficking
Ukraine
Nico Sproule

Human trafficking is an epidemic that impacts nearly 40.3 million people around the world, particularly women and children (Council on Foreign Relations). In times of war and instability, exacerbates the prevalence of human trafficking and becomes harder to combat. This is an issue that Ukraine is currently dealing with. Ukraine has historically been a large source country for human trafficking, but the country has been making efforts to remedy this through the implementation of the National Referral Mechanism for Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings in Ukraine (U.S. Department of State) and the Law of Ukraine on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings. Since the Russian invasion, the situation has gotten worse in Russian-occupied territories as well as throughout Ukraine due to the redistribution of policing efforts and a delay in the court system. These issues have led Ukraine to believe in the vital importance of gaining control over the human trafficking situation within the country as well as throughout the world.
Many international efforts have been made to combat human trafficking, including the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings and the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, both of which have been ratified by Ukraine (Melnyk 13). The United Nations has further supported the prevention of human trafficking through the creation of the Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons, which allows intergovernmental agencies to collaborate to form comprehensive approaches to combating human trafficking (United Nations). Despite these actions, human trafficking remains a major global issue. Implementing better protections against human trafficking at the national level (Komenda) as well as working to decrease impunity for convicted human traffickers may help to alleviate the issue.
Ukraine is in need of assistance combating human trafficking and believes that more support is needed for national governments wishing to create more just legal and support systems for victims of human trafficking. The UN can help combat human trafficking within Ukraine by helping educate Ukrainian refugees and internally displaced persons on the warning signs of human trafficking through the UN Refugee Agency, as those groups have been shown to be the most vulnerable. The recent Russian invasion has drastically worsened the issue of human trafficking in Ukraine through the creation of conditions of vulnerability for many fleeing violence. This is not an issue unique to one country, and Ukraine believes that the UN plays a vital role in the prevention of human trafficking by addressing the conditions of violence that lead to vulnerability and victimization.

Works Cited

Council on Foreign Relations. “Human Trafficking in the Global Era.” Council on Foreign Relations, 21 Dec. 2020, education.cfr.org/learn/reading/human-trafficking-global-era. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Komenda, Heather. “Despite Progress, More Needs to Be Done to Address the Crime of Trafficking in Persons.” United Nations, United Nations, 24 July 2023, un.org/en/un-chronicle/despite-progress-more-needs-be-done-address-crime-trafficking-persons. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Melnyk, Anna. “Trafficking in Human Beings in Ukraine.” Geneva Centre for Democratic Control of Armed Forces, Oct. 2014, pp. 13, files.ethz.ch/isn/185732/Melnyk-THB-Ukraine.pdf.
United Nations. “About US | The Inter-Agency Coordination Group Against Trafficking in Persons.” United Nations, icat.un.org/about. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
U.S. Department of State. “2023 Trafficking in Persons Report: Ukraine.” U.S. Department of State, 2024, state.gov/reports/2023-trafficking-in-persons-report/ukraine/. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: United Arab Emirates
Delegate Name: Allison Edwards

Human trafficking is a pervasive issue that affects an estimated 27.6 million victims worldwide. The United Nations defines human trafficking “as the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of people through force, fraud, or deception, intending to exploit them for profit.” The United Nations has taken steps to prevent and criminalize human trafficking through the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons in 2000. Through the protocol, the United Nations provides guidelines to bring awareness to and prevent the spread of human trafficking. This deeply concerns the United Arab Emirates, and our nation has been a leader in legislation to penalize human trafficking.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) recognizes the severity of human trafficking within our borders. With a large migrant population, human trafficking is prevalent. The UAE was the first country in the region to enact a thorough law regarding human trafficking. Under Federal Law 51, which was established in 2006, many issues prevalent in the problem of human trafficking are discussed extensively. Firstly, Law 51 defines human trafficking as, “Under this Article, exploitation includes all forms of sexual exploitation, engaging others in prostitution, servitude, forced labor, organ trafficking, coerced service, enslavement, mendicancy, and quasi-slavery practices” (National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking).

Furthermore, if a person is aware of human trafficking and does not alert the authorities, they will receive severe punishment under Law 51. Additionally, the law raises awareness for victims and witnesses of human trafficking and provides necessary resources. Along with legislation, the UAE has a large number of shelters to assist victims of human trafficking. These shelters include the Dubai Foundation for Women and Children, the EWAA Shelter for Women and Children, and the Aman Center for Women and Children. These shelters provide a haven for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence. In the shelters, victims receive medical care, counseling, and other essential and beneficial resources. Additionally, Dubai police have a hotline that is accessible at all times to report issues regarding human trafficking.

The United Arab Emirates is deeply concerned by the issue of human trafficking but has taken proactive steps to protect victims and enact legislation that penalizes trafficking. The United Arab Emirates encourages other nations to adopt legislation similar to Federal Law 51 and to establish shelters for victims of human trafficking. The UAE is dedicated to curbing the issue of human trafficking and has been a part of many efforts both regionally and internationally to bring awareness to human trafficking. The UAE is looking forward to working with other delegates on this important issue.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Republic of Korea
Delegate Name: Elizabeth MacKenzie

Country: North Korea

North Korea has been aware of the arising concern of human trafficking. Many countries have targeted our great republic to be an epicenter which cannot be true when our crime rates are some of the lowest in the world. There are 49.6 million people in modern slavery worldwide, nearly doubling our population. The most cases of human trafficking are in Africa and the middle east. As well as the world as a whole has been seeing an uprising in human trafficking, even in western countries and other first worlds.

Work Cited
https://www.state.gov/reports/2021-trafficking-in-persons-report/north-korea/#:~:text=Within%20North%20Korea%2C%20women%20and,them%20by%20universities%20to%20meet
https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/korea-north/#transnational-issues
https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/north-korea/
https://ourrescue.org/education/research-and-trends/human-trafficking-statistics
https://theexodusroad.com/where-does-human-trafficking-occur/

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Ecuador
Delegate Name: Lauren Corts

The Republic of Ecuador stands firm in its commitment to eradicating human trafficking of all forms, recognizing it as a severe violation of human flights and a significant barrier to the development of all nations. The delegation of Ecuador believes that the global community must act collectively to prevent human trafficking, protect its victims, and ensure justice for those responsible.
The United Nations has been actively engaged in addressing the human trafficking crisis through multiple frameworks, including legal instruments, international cooperation, and support from member states in building capacity to combat trafficking. The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons (Palermo Protocol) 2000: focuses on preventing human trafficking, protecting victims, and promoting international cooperation. Ecuador ratified this protocol in 2002, and has been committed to its implementation inside its state. The UN also implemented UNODC, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime: this supports member states in strengthening legal frameworks, enhancing border control measures, and providing training to law enforcement agencies to protect citizens. This program has been crucial for countries like Ecuador, where trafficking networks often exploit weak border control systems. The UN has also designated special rapporteurs to address human rights abuses related to trafficking, providing a platform for affected individuals and advocacy groups to call attention to the issue and push for more robust responses. The UN also addressed trafficking in their Sustainable Development Goals, SDG’s: It’s addressed under SG 5 (gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), which promote efforts to combat trafficking and protect vulnerable populations.
The delegation of Ecuador recognized that human trafficking is a complex, multifaceted issue that requires both preventative and reactive measures. The UN can and should play an active role in both aspects. The UN can facilitate awareness campaigns at the global level, through strengthening education and awareness campaigns. Raising public consciousness about risks of trafficking, particularly in vulnerable populations and communities. By promoting education, especially in women and children, we can reduce the likelihood of individuals falling victim to traffickers. Since poverty, lack of education, and social instability are key drivers of trafficking, the UN should encourage the development of poverty reduction programs, educational initiatives, and social safety nets for vulnerable populations. The UN should also foster partnerships with NGOs, local communities, and grassroots organizations to provide victims with the support they need, from legal assistance to social rehabilitation and victim empowerment.
The Un can play a pivotal role in facilitating cross- border cooperation among law enforcement agencies to track and dismantle trafficking networks. Programs like INTERPOL’s global police network should be expanded, and there should be more emphasis on training officers to identify trafficking victims and suspects. The UN must assist countries in providing shelter, legal protection, and healthcare for trafficking victims. Ecuador has taken steps to establish victim protection systems, but these efforts must be supported by international financial assistance and technical expertise. The UN can also offer technical support for strengthening national legal frameworks related to human trafficking, ensuring that laws are robust and that traffickers are prosecuted effectively.
The delegation of Ecuador believes that a collaborative approach between the UN and individual nations is essential in addressing human trafficking. While the UN can provide guidance, resources, and coordination, each country must take ownership of its own anti-trafficking policies, shaped by its unique social, economic, and political context. The responsibility to combat human trafficking within countries, ultimately lies within the national governments. Ecuador, for example, has implemented a national anti- trafficking law, enhanced border security measures, and collaborated with civil society organizations to raise awareness. These efforts are supported by the UN but are driven by the opportunities and needs of the Ecuadorian people. Each country faces different challenges in combating trafficking. Some countries may need greater resources to build infrastructure, while others may need legal reforms or greater cooperation with neighboring states. The UN must offer flexible support that is adaptable to local conditions and needs, rather than imposing one-size-fits-all solutions. The UN should not impose heavy-handed solutions on sovereign nations, but should act as a facilitator, providing resources, technical expertise, and a platform for international cooperation.

Works Cited
“THE 17 GOALS | Sustainable Development.” Sustainable Development Goals, https://sdgs.un.org/goals. Accessed 27 November 2024.
“The Counter Trafficking Data Collaborative.” The Counter Trafficking Data Collaborative | CTDC, CTDC, https://www.ctdatacollaborative.org/#no-back. Accessed 27 November 2024.
“Trafficking In Persons.” United Nations: Office of Drugs and Crime, United Nations, 2022, https://www.unodc.org/unodc/data-and-analysis/glotip.html. Accessed 26 November 2024.
“2024 Trafficking in Persons Report: Ecuador.” United States Department of State, U.S Department of State, 2024, https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/ecuador/. Accessed 25 November 2024.
“United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.” United Nations, United Nations, 2022, https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/organized-crime/intro/UNTOC.html. Accessed 27 November 2024.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: China
Delegate Name: Isabel Xiong

Defined by the UN as “…the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion…for the purpose of exploitation,” human trafficking is a violation of the most fundamental human rights, and an issue that plagues every nation on the globe. Women and children are particularly vulnerable, but every person needs protection and aid in recovery. China believes this topic requires not only international action but individual countries taking initiative.

The UN has made many significant strides in the prevention and mitigation of human trafficking. In 2000 the General Assembly ratified the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, defining the crime of human trafficking and the obligations of states, and emphasizing the need for global cooperation. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has been central in these efforts; from improving criminal justice systems and training law enforcement, to working with airlines to identify victims, they have greatly improved the capacity of member nations to handle human trafficking. The OHCHR also creates issue briefs, fact sheets for the general public, and guidelines for a human rights-based approach. And the ICAT, a forum that facilitates cooperation between UN bodies, has allowed for the international exchange of data, and policies, and ensured the effective implementation of standards and practices regarding human trafficking.

China is deeply concerned by the issue of human trafficking. We believe that victims should receive support primarily based on their country of citizenship and country they are transported to, as the responsibility falls on these countries to rectify the crime committed. China has policies in place to prevent trafficking and help victims recover, such as a court interpretation requiring courts to comply with trafficking victims’ requests for compensation from perpetrators, and we have worked extensively with other countries and international organizations: signing police cooperation agreements with Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, for example, and setting up border offices to better facilitate cooperation and regulation. The Ministry of Public Security and the All-China Women’s Federation have also been working with UNICEF for decades, creating shelters to provide medical care, legal aid, counseling and more.

To combat this problem and supplement existing measures, member states should focus their efforts on prevention and recovery. Prevention entails detecting trafficking victims, prosecuting known traffickers, gathering more data, and creating resources for those liable to be trafficked. The OHCHR airline program, which trained airline personnel to identify people being trafficked, can be standardized and used for law enforcement, medical personnel, government officials, and anyone likely to come in contact with traffickers or their victims. If countries implement these trainings, both in government and private organizations, they have a much better chance of rescuing victims and raising general public awareness. Shelters, online resources and confidential support lines can help women and girls who are being coerced or threatened, and systemic changes will decrease openings for such exploitation to occur. Countries should also develop standard protocols for responding to trafficking situations, especially when dealing with international trafficking rings. But standardization can only go so far, and with differing cultures, societal norms and infrastructure, it’s difficult to overstate the role individual nations will play. With support, but without excessive oversight from the UN, member states should as much as possible try to solve this issue on a national scale, in a tailored way, working with border countries when necessary. When different methods, protocols and policies have been tested, the UN can then consider the most effective way to implement them internationally, and protect future generations from the crime of trafficking.

Works Cited
Inter-Agency Coordination Group Against Trafficking in Persons. “2023 Annual Report.” ICAT, 2023, https://icat.un.org/sites/g/files/tmzbdl461/files/publications/icat_annual_report_2023.pdf.
Luo, Yanhua. “Committed to Fighting Human Trafficking.” China Daily, 21 July 2017, https://africa.chinadaily.com.cn/weekly/2017-07/21/content_30198572.htm.
OHCHR. “Human Rights and Human Trafficking.” United Nations, 2014, https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Documents/Publications/FS36_en.pdf.
United Nations General Assembly. “Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.” United Nations, 2000, https://www.unodc.org/res/human-trafficking/2021the-protocol-tip_html/TIP.pdf.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Japan
Delegate Name: Ava Balint

Human trafficking is a widespread problem all over the world, affecting millions of people every year by violating their basic rights and freedoms. It includes forced labor, sexual exploitation, and organ trafficking, with women and children being the most affected. Human trafficking has, therefore, been one of the premier concerns for the international community, through collaborative frameworks like the United Nations’ Palermo Protocol, which urges all states to attempt to prevent trafficking, protect its victims, and prosecute any offenders. The clandestine nature of trafficking networks and high socio-economic vulnerabilities among possible victims remain huge obstacles to defeating these criminal networks. Japan realizes these as serious issues which require resolution throughout all aspects domestically and with a positive international contribution.
Japan in the past had been a destination and transit country for human trafficking, mainly with women and migrant workers being targeted, but in the recent past, the Japanese government has become more concerned about the situation through legislation such as the 2005 Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, and changes to its Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. The current efforts are in line with the position taken up by the United Nations, especially its adoption of the Palermo Protocol in 2000, which Japan ratified in 2017. The UN has been leading international strategies against trafficking through a victim-centered approach and transnational cooperation. Japan’s endorsement of the UN Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons further demonstrates its commitment at both the national and international levels.
Based on the gained experience, Japan is calling for a multi-dimensional approach against human trafficking. The Delegation will improve, both domestically and through raising greater awareness with various public outreach, victim support, shelter provision, legal assistance, and psychological counseling, among other services. Japan internationally appeals for the creation of an integrated database system to be shared at the global level to trace trafficking networks and patterns, to which member states share information and coordinate law enforcement action. Japan also addresses the root causes, such as poverty and lack of education, by supporting development programs in vulnerable regions. In this respect, Japan promotes stronger partnerships among governments, NGOs, and the private sector to fill in the gaps of the international community for a more effective strategy in the complete eradication of human trafficking worldwide.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Thailand
Delegate Name: Harriet Ogilvie

SOCHUM
Human Trafficking
Thailand
Harriet Ogilvie, Forest Hills Northern High School Throughout the world, human trafficking has been an especially pressing issue. Many women, children, and those living in poverty are vulnerable to exploitation from traffickers. The United Nations continues to take steps to eradicate human trafficking. Progress has been made with the “Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons,” defining human trafficking, enacting criminalization, ensuring the protection of victims, and implementing preventative measures. Still with these provisions to combat trafficking in persons, there are steps the United Nations can take to assist this issue further.
The Kingdom of Thailand has been both a source and destination for human trafficking. Thailand is often full of migration and economic activity from the surrounding countries. The economic difficulties and conflicts of the neighboring countries have driven vulnerable populations into Thailand. Therefore, creating a center for trafficking. Thailand has discovered industries such as fishing, agriculture, and construction are often heavily linked to human trafficking with forced labor.
To take strides to stamp out human trafficking, Thailand has brought into effect legislation including the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (ATIPA) in 2008. Additional amendments in 2015, and 2017 regarding increased penalties for traffickers, provided greater protections for victims, improved enforcement, and additional support for trafficking survivors. Furthermore, Thailand has established specialized Anti-Trafficking Units in police forces, increased border security, and implemented Public awareness campaigns. In alignment with the United Nations Thailand is committed to further addressing this issue. Having signed the 2000 UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.
Even with the many policies put in place to eradicate human trafficking, there continues to be a variety of challenges, widespread poverty, and possible corruption, leaving many vulnerable and traffickers unchecked. Additionally, the secretive business of trafficking, along with victim fear makes it difficult to identify and rescue victims. To overcome these challenges enhancing enforcement with each country is essential. Moreover, making an effort to reduce poverty, conflict, and inequality helps lessen the population of people who will be susceptible to exploitative situations. Finally, traffickers are continuing to exploit digital platforms to recruit and exploit victims. As a United Nations, we need to increase our efforts to use technology to limit trafficking and strengthen international regulation of online platforms.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Argentina
Delegate Name: Kaitlyn Gruber

SOCHUM
Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Argentina
Delegate Name: Kaitlyn Gruber
Human Trafficking GLIMUN
Human trafficking is one of the most pressing issues plaguing us across the world, with devastating consequences for individuals and communities alike. It thrives in nearly every nation, targeting vulnerable populations and forcing victims into exploitative practices such as forced labor and sexual exploitation. The most targeted groups are also the most vulnerable, consisting of women and young children, often falling prey to traffickers due to poverty, inability to protect them selves, or conflict. Low and lower-middle-income countries face the highest prevalence of human trafficking, with an astounding rate of 9.6 victims per thousand people, equating to approximately 23 million individuals at any given time. For instance, in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, child trafficking is particularly prevalent, with children coerced into hazardous labor or recruited into armed conflicts. The root causes of human trafficking are extremely complex and include poverty, weak law enforcement, political instability, and systemic corruption. In response, global organizations and governments are implementing initiatives to combat this crisis. The United Nations has prioritized anti-trafficking measures through its Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 8.7, which calls for the eradication of forced labor, modern slavery, and child trafficking. Collaborative efforts like the UNODC’s Global Action against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants program aim to strengthen international cooperation, enhance victim support, and improve legal frameworks. Additionally, public awareness campaigns and education programs are being deployed to empower vulnerable communities and reduce the risk of exploitation. While these efforts mark progress, a more unified and sustained global approach is needed to address the root causes and prevent human trafficking from devastating lives and societies worldwide.

Argentina is committed to addressing the pressing issue of human trafficking, a global crisis that devastates lives and communities. In Argentina, human trafficking poses significant challenges, particularly in the exploitation of women and children for forced labor and sexual exploitation. This crime threatens the safety, dignity, and rights of vulnerable populations, many of whom are lured by false promises of employment or better opportunities. The social impact is profound, as trafficking perpetuates cycles of poverty, inequality, and marginalization, particularly among low-income and rural communities. To combat this issue, Argentina has taken decisive measures. Our government has enacted Law No. 26.364, later amended by Law No. 26.842, which strengthens penalties for trafficking and provides comprehensive support for victims, including housing, healthcare, and employment assistance. Additionally, we have established the National Program to Rescue and Accompany Victims of Trafficking, which has rescued thousands of individuals from exploitative situations. Argentina actively collaborates with regional and international organizations, such as the United Nations and the Organization of American States, to enhance cross-border cooperation and strengthen anti-trafficking efforts. Despite these initiatives, challenges remain. It is for this reason that we propose the following actions (in addition to the actions Argentina has already adopted) such as increased safety measures in high-risk areas including more and better trained law enforcement personnel, support to lower income communities to prevent desperate action that may land them in trouble, and information spread to citizens on the topic and how to best protect themselves. Lastly a governmental crackdown regarding corruption that may be slowing any efforts to prevent human trafficking, should be highly encouraged. Overall greater focus on public awareness campaigns, stricter enforcement of laws, and expanded access to education and employment for at-risk populations are essential to effectively prevent human trafficking and protect vulnerable individuals.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Afghanistan
Delegate Name: Kennedy Anderson

Afghanistan
SOCHUM
Human Trafficking
The delegation of Afghanistan has been a devoted member of the UN since 1946 and has gone through hardship as a developing country to establish governance within the country. Afghanistan recognizes its difficult position to establish UN considerations as the Taliban is the primary leader of the country, however the Afghanistan delegation will strive to provide assistance and insight to other countries as well as aiming to better improve the country. The UN has contributed numerous aid such as creating the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan to help the people of Afghanistan (UNAMA), having the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) placed in Afghanistan who protects the most vulnerable and assist newly displaced Afghans, and 21 other UN entities are inhabited in Afghanistan. The delegation of Afghanistan would like to extend its gratitude to the UN’s consideration for not allowing the Taliban after its unfortunate take over to represent the country of Afghanistan and allow the delegation of Afghanistan to remain the sovereign entity and representative of Afghanistan.

The delegation of Afghanistan finds human trafficking a personal issue within the country that affects the citizens of Afghanistan. Afghanistan finds human trafficking a pressing issue that needs to be resolved and is actively trying to combat under the Taliban rule and denounces how the Taliban has not dealt with the issue of human trafficking. Having signed an Action plan on March 1, 2021 which enhanced efforts to tackle human trafficking and migrant smuggling over the past three years, this was supported by the UNODC, through its Global Action against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants initiative (GLO.ACT). One of the reasons human trafficking is able to prosper in Afghanistan is due to a lack of public awareness and a weakness of law enforcement institutions, and since most human trafficking occurs internally (many victims do not leave their home area) and are children who are labor trafficked, it is not as recognized or focused on as much as sex trafficking although both are slim under the governance of the Taliban.

For decades Afghanistan has been combating the problem of Human Trafficking for decades and will not stop until it is resolved or starts to minimize. Having UN entities and UN affiliated NGOs throughout countries that specifically detect all sorts of human trafficking and alert law enforcement of the local occurrence can start showing greater reporting of human trafficking and action in countries. As well as having education in schools, online such as social media, jobs and other spaces can help someone avoid being in an instance of trafficking and help people detect if a loved one is showing signs of being around people involved in trafficking. Investing in a global and nation database that connects missing persons and trafficked people throughout the world and country, can help people return to their home. Providing and aiding essentials to people who may return to their home after trafficking will help them be established into society and creating therapeutic shelters can help them cope and meet others who went through the same things.

Cites
https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/glo-act2/Countries/afghanistan-renews-commitment-to-address-human-trafficking-and-migrant-smugglingboard.html
https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/afghanistan/
https://www.iom.int/news/massive-counter-trafficking-programme-launched-afghanistan

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Iran
Delegate Name: Abby Klein

Topic: Human Trafficking
Country: Iran
Delegate Name: Abby Klein

The UN has defined human trafficking as the “recruitment, transportation, transfer, or harboring of individuals through force, coercion, abduction, fraud, or deception for exploitation.” While this can be tragic and inhuman, the definition opens a broad topic with many smaller components. There are several types of human trafficking, including sexual exploitation, forced labor, debt bondage, and organ removal. Organ trafficking is a significant issue today, with trafficked organs accounting for up to 10% of all organ transplants worldwide, generating an estimated $840 million to $1.7 billion annually. Organ trafficking accounts for thousands of deaths each year, making it an imminent issue. Other forms of human trafficking are of equal importance and produce billions of dollars of illicit funds.

The Islamic Republic of Iran stresses the importance of the prevention of human trafficking. Still, it is apprehensive about how this topic will be debated by the ​​Social, Humanitarian & Cultural Committee. The committee must act in accordance with Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ensuring states have the freedom to respect religious practices without interference from UN protocols. Iran’s legal system is based on Sharia law, which provides the moral code of the state. These laws prohibit human trafficking, and the Iranian constitution criminalizes acts of human trafficking for sexual and labor exploitation. Iran prepares to uphold these values and broaden them in this committee. The Islamic Republic of Iran makes all necessary efforts to fight against trafficking. As one of the first countries to sign the UNTOC, Iran has also taken several steps with the guidelines of this convention to combat trafficking.

The Islamic Republic of Iran hopes to concentrate this committee on the subtopics of human trafficking, with the goal of organ removal and human trafficking across state lines. Iran hopes to prevent the trafficking with the intent of organ removal by creating public awareness campaigns, strengthening previous regulations, protecting civilians, and supporting victims. Stopping trafficking across state lines can be achieved with stricter border protocol and more universal collaboration. The Islamic Republic of Iran believes this can be attained without breaching state sovereignty and looks forward to a productive committee.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Switzerland
Delegate Name: Jesus Avalos

Topic 2: Human Trafficking

Switzerland believes the act of human trafficking is a violation of human rights. Switzerland has set up an anti-trafficking system within our country to fight against any kind of trafficking and exploitation. To fight against this issue, we follow the principles set in the Palermo protocol. We enforce this with the Swiss Coordination Unit against the Trafficking of Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (KSMM). With the help of other delegations, we would be able to implement something similar around the world and lock down on this crucial issue. We will run awareness campaigns to bring light to this crucial issue. With the help of international cooperation, we will set up support systems throughout the world which include things like housing, medical, and legal aid. We will set up laws to severely punish any offenders to truly lock down on this issue.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Egypt
Delegate Name: Rex Blakley

Human trafficking is a terrible thing across the world, as it targets primarily women and children for the purposes of kidnapping and exploiting them. In the past laws have been passed persistently to combat human trafficking in both the United Nations (UN) and separate countries, these laws have acted to prevent the growth of this industry and help to protect people who would be victims and people who became victims.
Currently Egypt is using both financial and jail time punishments to decrease the likelihood of human trafficking taking place there, as both are deterrents for the terrible crimes. The actions taken in Egypt have caused a decrease in the amount of human trafficking and increased the amount of people sentenced for actions involving human trafficking, which shows success in preventative and enforcing measures independently within a country. But without greater international cooperation there is little that one country can do, which is why the United Nations (UN) should put greater emphasis on cooperation for the prevention and prosecution of human trafficking.

US Department of State. n.d. “2023 Trafficking in Persons Report: Egypt.” 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report: Egypt. https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-trafficking-in-persons-report/egypt.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Ghana
Delegate Name: Lidija Habekovic

Ghana is committed to the eradication and condemnation of human trafficking. With the passing of the Human Trafficking Act, along with other preventative measures, Ghana has taken steps to ensure that human trafficking has no presence within its borders. While currently the complete eradication of trafficking is still in progress, Ghana has taken rigorous steps to eliminate these practices within the country.
Ghana recognizes that human trafficking and exploitation are prevalent throughout the country. Child trafficking in Ghana is particularly common, with a study conducted in 2016 showing that 35.2% of households in the communities surveyed consisted of children who had been exploited. Many children are subjected to forced labor in fishing, gold mining, and other industries. Other Ghanaians, usually women, as well as immigrants from other West African countries, are subjected to sex trafficking. Concerned by these statistics, Ghana has implemented a Human Trafficking Act, which promotes the welfare of trafficking victims, as well as conducting investigations to prosecute individuals involved in the trafficking of Ghanaians. Additionally, the Ghana Police Service’s Anti Human Trafficking Unit was established in 2008. The AHTU seeks to collaborate with other law enforcement agencies to crack down on human trafficking rings, as well as adopt methods to prevent human trafficking.
While these efforts have proven to be effective, Ghana recognizes progress can still be made. Human trafficking is still going on in Ghana, which Ghana believes is completely unacceptable. Ghana is committed to the elimination of human trafficking and will not stop fighting until it is completely eradicated.
Ghana has several suggestions regarding the prevention of human trafficking and identification and support of victims. To ensure that no victim is being trafficked into the country, Ghana proposes mandatory screenings for all who enter the country. To make sure that policies are up to date, Ghana proposes that nations revisit their current labor and trafficking-related laws. To provide shelter and assistance to victims, Ghana suggests increased funding for government and NGO-run shelters for trafficking victims, as well as creating an outlet for them to come forward; be it a hotline, website, or physical building they can go to. To secure justice for trafficking victims, Ghana urges nations to guarantee that perpetrators of human trafficking are receiving appropriate penalization, through educating judges and other levels of the judiciary system, as well as law enforcement, on the severity of human trafficking.
Ghana believes that progress can be made and observed through cooperation and agreement. Cooperation is crucial when discussing topics like that of human trafficking, and Ghana looks forward to working with willing nations to reach a solution that addresses all facets of this issue.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Sudan
Delegate Name: Matthew Seshul

Sudan has been plagued by many issues in recent years. Among them, internal conflict due to rebel groups, economic difficulties, and the refugee crisis all point towards the issue of human trafficking. These internal conflicts have provided greatly for the demand of trafficked children. This is due the government and rebel groups having child soldiers fight in various internal and external conflicts. Sudan has also seen large economic difficulties including high unemployment and inflation. This has resulted in many people being trafficked to work in manual labor positions like gold mining, brick making and agricultural work. The refugee crisis has done nothing but fan the flames regarding this issue. Many children from other nations seeking a better life in Europe stop through Sudan. These children are often taken advantage of in the busy streets of Sudan’s cities.

The government of Sudan has pushed halt the spread of human trafficking. In 2021 the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking was launched. This program sought to stop human trafficking in Sudan by making policies to help with the protection of the millions of refugees that live in Sudan’s borders. Although moves have been made, there have been internal conflicts that have slowed progress. Sudan is overwhelmed with uprisings and rebel groups which don’t abide by the laws and policies of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking. This has resulted in the government of Sudan losing focus on the issue of human trafficking and rebel groups continuing to increase the amount of human trafficking occurring through demand for child soldiers to fight in these uprisings.

Sudan requires assistance from the United Nations in many areas that all point towards the issue of human trafficking. Firstly, many Sudanese people are not well educated with the average amount of time spent in school being 7-8 years. This has limited the success of many young people in Sudan and has left many vulnerable to being human trafficked. Another issue that has lead to human trafficking is the number of refugees in Sudan. The immense amount of refugees has lead to many getting taken advantage of. Sudan simply doesn’t have the capacity to host all of these refugees safely. There has also been political instability in Sudan for decades. This has caused recruitment of child soldiers and a lack of stability in efforts in stopping the issue of human trafficking. There have been solid efforts to stop human trafficking in the past including the founding of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking. These efforts have not been consistent. Sudan needs increased education, less refugees or better protection of refugees and most importantly a stable plan to help end human trafficking within Sudan’s borders.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Poland
Delegate Name: Emitt Stevenson

Poland recognizes the importance of human rights in the modern world, especially within the fight against human trafficking. Poland understands its issue within this matter, as Poland being not only a point of recruitment but a place for transportation and a harbor of exploitation. Poland believes that through international cooperation, commitment to human rights and innovative solutions progress can be made.

Poland acknowledges the powerful influence businesses have on upholding human rights and believes they must take responsibility for ensuring their actions align with these values. Efforts such as the national action plan and alignment and the UN’s guiding principles on business and human rights, Poland encourages companies to prioritize fairness, transparency, and ethical practices. However, challenges like labor exploitation, ecological harm, and missing links in the supply chain continue. To address these issues Poland emphasizes the need for an internation collaboration, and a more rigid framework surrounding human rights and really hold businesses accountable. As an EU member state Poland remains committed to creating a balance between economic progress and the fundamental rights of every human being.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Mozambique
Delegate Name: Benjamin Harris

The main problem that I am focusing on is human trafficking in the country of Mozambique. This is a huge problem that is causing many smaller problems to arise. The main problem at this moment is that they don’t have enough money to assist people who were previously taken through human trafficking. They do not have enough money for this cause because they have been dealing with insufficient tax collection and slow economic growth. Some things that are at stake are the overall population decreasing because of the mass amounts of human trafficking, if they stop this then Mozambique would be a much safer place that might even attract people to live there. One of the many things that Mozambique has done to end human trafficking is ratifying the Palermo protocols. The Palermo protocols are protocols that punish traffickers and prevent human trafficking. Another thing that they’re also doing is creating the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime which is a policy that helps officials to enforce laws against and fight human trafficking. One other thing they are doing is informing the public of the existence of human trafficking and how to stay away from it through the public awareness campaigns that they’ve had. From my perspective, I believe that Mozambique is trying fairly hard to end this big issue but there are still many things that they could be doing to help this issue go away. There have been many changes to the way that Mozambique has been running to decrease the number of cases of human trafficking but it doesn’t seem to be helping as much as it should which means they need to try some new and different things to combat this terrible situation. There are many things that Mozambique could do to fight human trafficking in today’s age and I’ll give you a few examples. One example of what they could do is make the borders around the country a lot more secure which would also include having more thorough checks on imported and exported goods. Another thing is that they could make more strict laws or ratify some of the laws to make them more strict so that these acts wouldn’t go unpunished and acted upon. Another great thing they could do to help is have more victim support and rehabilitation services which would help with the way that someone who dealt with human trafficking would live their life. One last thing I believe they could do is create more job opportunities for people in poverty or anyone else. This would help greatly because the main target for human traffickers is people in poverty or homeless people and more job opportunities would make the overall economy in Mozambique a lot better than what it currently is. I believe that Mozambique is doing an okay good job at taking care of this but some things could be improved and changed to make it even better. I believe that if they used some of the ideas I suggested then this problem could controlled a lot more and the rates of human trafficking could go down.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Switzerland
Delegate Name: Jésus Avalos

Switzerland believes the act of human trafficking is a violation of human rights. Switzerland has set up an anti-trafficking system within our country to fight against any kind of trafficking and exploitation. To fight against this issue, we follow the principles set in the Palermo protocol. We enforce this with the Swiss Coordination Unit against the Trafficking of Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (KSMM). With the help of other delegations, we would be able to implement something similar around the world and lock down on this crucial issue. We will run awareness campaigns to bring light to this crucial issue. With the help of international cooperation, we will set up support systems throughout the world which include things like housing, medical, and legal aid. We will set up laws to severely punish any offenders to truly lock down on this issue.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Turkey
Delegate Name: Divyana Varma

A deep-seated issue, Human Trafficking remains a global challenge in need of international action. The Republic of Turkey is committed to abolishing this impediment to human rights. Due to its geo-political location and conflicts in neighboring countries, Turkey has become a destination country for a number of migrants. Ongoing conflicts in neighboring regions have further augmented this number, and larger influxes of refugees has heightened the need for international protection, specifically for human trafficking. Due to this, Turkey is constantly in search of durable solutions and international protection and aims to find these answers through international collaboration.
Though the government of Turkey does not meet the standards for the termination of human trafficking, the country has made significant efforts to do so. Turkey has ratified several different conventions enabling the prevention of trafficking and the protection of victims. Since December 2000, when Turkey endorsed the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime and its associate Protocols — including the Palermo Protocol—the country has actively worked to reinforce its efforts to combat human trafficking. In addition, Turkey also signed the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings on 19 March 2009. On a national level, imperative amendments have been integrated into legislation. Article 80 of Turkey’s penal code prohibits sex and labor trafficking, with penalties of imprisonment for terms of 8-12 years. Turkey’s Law on Work Permits of Foreigners monitors the employment of foreigners, preventing illegal employment and favoring access to the labor market for victims of human trafficking. In addition to prevention, Turkey has also stressed the protection of human trafficking victims. In 2013, the “Department for the Protection of Victims of Human Trafficking” was established. This department is responsible for outsourcing the operation helplines for victims and operating other projects related to human trafficking. Support services in alignment with this protection are offered. Turkey offers two key programs for individuals who have been victims of human trafficking: the Victim Support Program and the Voluntary and Safe Return Program. These initiatives provide victims with options for assistance, allowing them either to access support services within Turkey or to return to their home countries safely and voluntarily if they wish. Under the Victim Support Program, victims are granted a six-month humanitarian visa and a short-term residence permit to facilitate their recovery and participation in legal processes. These permits allow victims to access medical treatment, healthcare services, and legal assistance.

Turkey believes in finding long-term solutions to terminate the imminent dangers produced by human trafficking. Turkey recommends an extension of their already existing policies. One such recommendation concerning the protection of victims is to continue implementing projects to assist victims with recovery and stability. Victim support programs are necessary and should be put into effect. The main shortcoming of eliminating this issue is the lack of international cooperation. Turkey actively participates in regional and global initiatives to combat human trafficking and has engaged with various international organizations, including the Council of Europe, to address this issue. Preventing human trafficking requires more than isolated government actions or traditional international partnerships. Turkey emphasizes the need for a global response grounded in genuine cooperation and hopes to arrive at a meaningful resolution.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Finland
Delegate Name: Aanya Dogra

SOCHUM
Human Trafficking
Finland
Aanya Dogra, Forest Hills Northern HS
Human Trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery. We can go way back and see this through the transatlantic slave trade, however, the principles are still the same. It involves the illegal forced movement of people for the purpose of exploitation. In the present day, we see a danger in online media. The ability to communicate with all people, brought on by the internet, has repercussions that have promoted human trafficking.

The Republic of Finland is both a transit and destination country for human trafficking. While our numbers in trafficking are low, they are increasing. In 2022 the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) investigated 121 cases, whereas in 2023 they investigated a notable increase of 152 cases. According to The Council of Europe’s Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA), about half of the victims were trafficked for the purpose of labor exploitation, 25% for sexual exploitation, and 21% for forced marriage. There is also a significant rise in cases involving the exploitation of vulnerable migrants and refugees, especially as Finland has become a more popular destination for asylum seekers. However, trafficking is not confined by borders. Sweden and Russia are neighboring countries to Finland and must all work together to combat trafficking. Policies that Finland believes need implementation include further policing of borders, more education on the topic, and helping the victims of trafficking.

Finland has taken steps towards bettering this issue. New and different kinds of trafficking have emerged including forced marriage and exploitation of people in criminal activities. We have especially increased our action starting in 2000 with the adoption of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime’s Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children. In addition, the European Union (EU) adopted a framework against trafficking in 2002 and has since updated it. Punishments have been added to the Criminal Code of Finland for trafficking. Imprisonment can last from 4 months up to 10 years depending on the severity of the conflict. In addition to criminal penalties, Finland has also increased its efforts in improving international cooperation with law enforcement agencies across Europe, particularly in border regions, to prevent trafficking. Lately, the Finnish Government has implemented a plan called “Finland Fights Human Trafficking” in which we strive to establish victim identification and assistance, train frontline workers on victim response and support, ensure access to residence and residence permits, create a centralized database with victim demographics, and conduct platforms for public awareness. Victims of human trafficking are also typically supported with a 30-60 day recovery period.

Human trafficking must be approached with preventative and reactive measures enacted by both the United Nations and individual countries. Finland looks forward to implementing policy regarding stronger policing of the issue, widespread awareness, and rehabilitation for those affected by human trafficking within all nations. This issue is not selective by borders and therefore requires a holistic solution. Finland strongly believes that all countries must come together to support those affected by human trafficking. Finland looks forward to collaborating with delegates on this issue.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Venezuela
Delegate Name: Eddie Wuerthele

The origins of human trafficking go way back to the 16th century where Europe, Africa, and the Americas partook in the Triangular Trade. Over 400 years later, human trafficking continues to be a worldwide problem. Human trafficking is the illegal act of acquiring, selling, or purchasing individuals through methods of force, fraud, or deception for the purpose of exploitation or profit. Unfortunately, there are many people around the world who enjoy coercing individuals into commercial sex, forced labor, involuntary servitude, among other examples. The UN has taken steps towards limiting the effects of human trafficking through methods such as the 2000 Palermo Protocol. This protocol was designed to: Prevent human trafficking, particularly women and children; protect and assist victims of such trafficking, with full respect to their human rights; and promote cooperation among nations in order to meet those objectives. While the idea behind the Palermo protocol is right-minded, the effectiveness has been limited, leading to the realization that other systems must be put into place.

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela acknowledges the severity of this issue, as it has been affected by the amount of trafficking within the country and between borders of neighboring countries. Over 7.7 million Venezuelans have fled the country do to crises including the trafficking crisis and the economic crisis. 60-80% of those migrants are women and children. In response, Venezuela has ratified multiple pieces of legislation, including the Palermo protocol, CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women), and the 2007 Organic Law on the Right of Women to a Life Free of Violence (LOMPVLV). LOMPVLV was put into place to punish acts of violence against women in Venezuela to help ensure gender equality. Venezuela has also expressed support towards the UN Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons, a plan dedicated to global coordination towards the prevention of human trafficking. All of these pieces of legislation dictate that human trafficking is punishable under Venezuela’s penal code.

While the delegation of Venezuela agrees that systems must be put into place to mitigate the amount of human trafficking, it believes that the best solution would be to allocate funding to each country in need, so that each country can resolve the problem nationally, as each country understands their situation the best. Venezuela has been working towards limiting human trafficking and funding would be markedly appreciated, specifically towards victim protection and training programs for police revolving around the enforcement of trafficking. The delegation of Venezuela, keeping privacy and national sovereignty in mind, is willing to collaborate with other delegations to determine the allocation of resources to prevent human trafficking.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Australia
Delegate Name: Fiona Apraez

Committee: Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee
Country: Australia
Delegate: Fiona Apraez
Topic B: Human Trafficking

Australia has remained on Tier 1 even after the challenges of Covid-19 demonstrating our continued commitment to serious and sustained efforts for the elimination of human trafficking. This status highlights Australia’s adherence to meeting the standards of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). However human trafficking persists as a significant issue within Australia and internationally. Australia faces a duel-faceted challenge, involving both inbound trafficking and outbound trafficking. The most commonly prosecuted form of trafficking in Australia is forced marriage, reflecting the need for specialized responses to this problem. Australia believes the key steps to to further combating and eliminating human trafficking on a global scale are firstly prevention before trafficking occurs, detecting and disrupting the act, investigating, and prosecuting.

Australia recognizes the widespread impact of human trafficking within its borders and is committed to addressing this issue comprehensively. The Australian Federal Police works diligently to maintain strong relationships with the Department of Foregin Affairs and Trade, and Department of Home Affairs. These partnerships are essential to support victims and minimize harm, and coordinating efforts. To ensure effective prosecution of traffickers, Australia is a signatory to the UN TIP protocol. This protocal is a key international agreement that aims to suppress, prevent, and punish trafficking in persons. Australia has also implemented the National Action Plan to Combat Modern Slavery 2020-2025. This plan sets strategic direction to eradicating modern slavery by emphasizing the protection of victims, prevention of exploitation, and prosecution of offenders. The National Action plan reinforces Australia commitment to tackling modern slavery by using collaboration across the government to ensure an effective and lasting strategy.

Australia proposes to address this issue by creating a strategy to educate, detect, investigate, and prosecute human trafficking. To aid in prevention, it is essential educate the public on recognizing the signs of possible trafficking and understanding. Detection efforts can be strengthened by harnessing advanced technology, making it possible to identify and disrupt human trafficking offenses. Maintaining a high standard of investigative practices is critical to ensuring effective prosecution of traffickers, legal actions to be carried out successfully. Australia believes through implementing these measures, these issues of human trafficking can be better addressed on an international scale.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Tunisia
Delegate Name: Amelia Hewitt

Tunisia has made many efforts to combat human trafficking through law and other national authority and they have also made improvements to their victim services.

The United Nation has taken various steps to help make sure that the spread of human trafficking gets prevented and how they should be supplemented. Some of the ways they did to stop it was by putting on awareness campaigns which helped educate the public about the dangers of human trafficking and they taught people how to identify it and report it. Some ways that it should be supplemented is by enhancing victim services which should include legal assistance, healthcare, and psychological support to help the victims recover better. Other ways include strengthening legal framework, researching and collecting data to help identify trends in human trafficking, collaborating with NGOs which is a non government organization which specializes in anti-human trafficking and they provide additional information and resources on the topic.

The United Nation has been known to play a crucial role in both reactive and preventative efforts to combat human trafficking. The preventative efforts they took were international cooperation which the United Nation will promote different international cooperation so they can share their best resources and how they practice for preventing trafficking, policy development which helps the countries develop policies that they can implement. Also they can get a legal framework to help prevent human trafficking. The reactive efforts they took is prosecution of the traffickers, the United Nation has provided facilitating international cooperation and legal assistance. The United Nation also emphasizes the importance of protecting the victims and assisting them and making sure that their rights are respected and that they are able to receive the necessary support that they need. Finally these efforts should be evaluated by being monitored and reported on all the progress of the anti trafficking efforts so we can see the effectiveness.
The balance between the UN involvement and individual nations when creating policies to address this specific issue should provide the global framework, resources, and support. While the other individual nations develop tailored laws, public awareness, and victim support, there should be feedback and collaboration between the UN and the other nations to make sure it’s effective. feasible solution that Tunisia support is to address official complicity, train law enforcement, improve victim identification, increase awareness campaigns, and enhance victim support services.

In the document Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 it states that the United States legislation establishes a framework that addresses human trafficking and focuses on prevention, prosecution, and protection.

Human trafficking is a big thing and it can be prevented if people know the signs and how to look out for them and many victims can get the help they need if we had more public awareness and it has been shown that there are more services opening up for people who were victims of human traffickers.

Works Cited:
https://www.ohchr.org/en/trafficking-in-persons/what-we-do-end-human-trafficking
https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/protocol-prevent-suppress-and-punish-trafficking-persons
https://press.un.org/en/2021/ga12388.doc.htm
https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/07/1139282
https://www.justice.gov/humantrafficking/key-legislation
https://glica.org/glimun/committees/human-trafficking/

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Syrian Arab Republic
Delegate Name: Julia Serraiocco

Human Trafficking is a widespread global issue that appears in vast amounts. Like many countries, Syria faces challenges with human trafficking, with the highest rates appearing in areas affected by conflict and instability. Human trafficking not only devastates the lives of individuals, but also affects the social and economic aspects of many countries. Understanding the result of human trafficking can help develop effective strategies to combat this issue.

Human Trafficking has become an increasingly severe issue in Syria. The ongoing attacks from Turkey have displaced millions of people, leading to a vulnerable population. In Syria, many traffickers utilize forced labor, sexual exploitation, as well as other forms of abuse. In Syria, human trafficking affects a wide range of people, such as women, refugees, and children. Traffickers search for vulnerable people, making it harder for many to escape.

The Syrian government has made efforts to address human trafficking. However, they have struggled to show high rates of progress due to the limited resources and significant challenges. Although the Syrian government has put laws into place that criminalize human trafficking, the enforcement is inconsistent. Syria has also started many awareness campaigns that educate citizens about the risks and signs of human trafficking. These programs also offer support services, which are available for victims, including shelters and rehabilitation programs. These services are often supported by international organizations.

Human trafficking is a very important issue, not only in Syria, but around the globe. Putting an end to human trafficking is very important in Syria to improve overall security and stability in the region, creating a safer environment for everyone. Ending human trafficking can lead to many positive results, such as strengthening the rule of law and human rights, leading to a better future in Syria. Most importantly, lowering the rates of human trafficking and putting a stop to the issue can save many lives of the people who are getting trafficked.

Works Cited

https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-trafficking-in-persons-report/syria/
https://ocindex.net/country/syria
https://www.iom.int/news/shelter-victims-trafficking-opens-syria
https://www.icmpd.org/news/archive/new-research-how-are-the-war-in-syria-and-the-refugee-crisis-affecting-human-trafficking
https://borgenproject.org/human-trafficking-in-syria/
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c79zj7rz3l4o

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Philippines
Delegate Name: Rousseau Mamo

Human trafficking, as the United Nations describes it, is “…global and widespread crimes that use men, women and children for profit.” Around the world, many nations struggle with the issue of human trafficking. Human trafficking can appear in many different forms: sexual exploitation, forced marriage, forced labor, child labor, and much more alike.

The Republic of the Philippines currently struggles with the practice of human trafficking. According to the U.S. Department of State, the Philippines is a tier 1 country when it comes to improving human trafficking. The most prominent trafficking related crimes are related to forced labor, and sexual exploitation. Article VIII, Section 12, of R.A. 7610 allows children below 15 years old to work, if they can get a permit from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE). Studies have proven that the anti-child-labor laws actually had a negative impact upon the country’s economy, and it left it in a worse state than it was prior to the law. Another use of forced labor is modern versions of slavery. Currently, the estimated amount for victims of slavery is 784,000, many of which are underage, and many are forced into marriage. These methods of labor are used because of the economic demands and situations the Philippines get put into though. Out of 121 countries, the Philippines is rated 69th for poverty, which means that the Philippines have a moderate level of poverty. Additionally, the Philippines is ranked as the 40th biggest exporter for labor. This means that the Philippines has to supply a continuous amount of labor, and the only labor sources that exist are child labor and slavery. The Philippines also relies on these labor sources to combat the prominent poverty within the nation. These positions of labor are often beneficial, they produce incomes for families, and keep the laborers from living in poverty. Sexual exploitation is also a recurring issue, The Philippines has reported commercial sexual exploitation where sometimes victims experience forced marriage, forced harm and abuse, and forced sexual actions.

The Philippines wants to take action upon the matter but there are many obstacles in the way. One of the biggest concerns is the economical effects; loss of labor supply, loss of revenue, decrease in GDP, and an increase of poverty. Additionally, the effects of peoples’ lives is another important matter. Without jobs, people will not be able to supply their families (or just themselves) with an income. These concerns play into the actions that will be taken by the Philippines, and all decisions will be deeply considered for the sake of the people. The main issue that arises when removing labor and income sources is the poverty that will follow, the Philippines is a country that is too poor to be giving up some of its biggest profit-makers, therefore the Philippines needs support and aid if it will agree with anti-trafficking policies.

Works Cited:
Alexander Sauer. “UNODC – Human Trafficking.” Unodc.org, 2019, www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/index.html.
“Department of Labor and Employment.” Www.dole.gov.ph, www.dole.gov.ph/.
Gould, Hannah. “What Fuels Human Trafficking?” UNICEF USA, UNICEF, 13 Jan. 2017, www.unicefusa.org/stories/what-fuels-human-trafficking.
U.S. Department of State. “U.S. Department of State | Home Page.” State.gov, 2019, www.state.gov/.
V. Edmonds, Eric, and Caroline Theoharides. Child Labor and Economic Development, July 2020.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Colombia
Delegate Name: Cameron Balis

The problem of human trafficking has been a challenging topic to face. In this modern age of the world, the exploitation of people has been more prominent than ever. Exploitation of people is the satisfaction from trafficking occurrences. Colombia has a high disdain for trafficking and passes laws to fight against human trafficking. Colombia has been employing tactics such as identifying more victims and partnering with international anti-trafficking organizations to fight against this worldwide problem. Colombia has been supported by the International Organization for Migration in the supportive efforts of the European Union’s Programme Against Gender Violence in the collective goal to stop human trafficking not just in Colombia but the world. Although Colombia has met the requirements to fight against human trafficking due to a flaw in our nation’s judicial system that does not fully prosecute human traffickers, many cases reach appeal. Aid from the International Court of Justice would be of great use to correctly prosecute those that have trafficked people in and out of the country and help Colombia have a set judicial system that is aligned with our country’s government. due to the many problems our government faces including drug trafficking, national standard of living, and our Republic being seen as inadequate.

Colombia prioritizes the prevention of human trafficking by funding anti-trafficking services & departments, increasing the nationwide standard of living, and improving the Colombian judicial system to intensely prosecute human traffickers. A committee to achieve these goals world-wide would be of great suggestion to the general assembly. There have been an estimated 109 victims that have come forth in Colombia in 2023 according to the International Organization for Migration and getting assistance from other major world powers to help with assisting those victims in coping with their traumatic experiences would be of great importance to Colombia.

Finally tackling human trafficking is of great importance to the world, not only in the immediate effects of eliminating a huge problem for the world, but also the precedent this will set for future problems. Like fighting for human rights as a whole across the world and citizens having proper representation in their own country’s government. Also showing that people in impoverished countries do not have to live in fear of this terrible action happening to them, the fear alone will change the mindsets of millions around the world. People should not have to live in fear of being kidnapped and exploited for their being. Adding more of this to the law enforcement branches of Colombia will help significantly.

Colombia understands that there are some local countries that do not openly support but do not really attempt to oppose human trafficking. The reason that Colombia has not done more to stop human trafficking is a problem of funds and other major problems around the republic. Colombia is willing to stop trafficking but is in need of assistance in a multitude of ways such as judicial reform, monetary aid to further fund programs, and more reform on United Nations resolution against trafficking as a whole. These are all pressing matters in Colombia but can affect the world-wide rhetoric of trafficking.

Works Cited:
2024 Trafficking in Persons Report: Colombia
https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/05/colombia-un-expert-calls-effective-protection-victims-trafficking
https://www.iom.int/news/new-resources-colombias-counter-trafficking-efforts
https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/international-law-and-justice#:~:text=The%20primary%20United%20Nations%20organ,to%20requests%20by%20UN%20organizations.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Albania
Delegate Name: Jada Wynn

Human trafficking is a crime that is a form of modern-day slavery. It is the illegal act of transporting individuals either by force or deception. There are many different types of human trafficking, such as prostitution, forced labor, or the selling of organs. Prostitution unfortunately is the most common, estimating 58% of all human trafficking activities. Many people are trafficked; according to Britannica, about 1,000,000 people are trafficked globally, meaning in that number, many men, women, and children are forced into prostitution, labor, child exploitation, and organ selling.

Human trafficking happens everywhere; Albania is no exception, and with Albania still adjusting to the new democracy implemented in the government, it has gotten worse. Traffickers have used this time to deceive and kidnap men, women, and children and exploit them through trafficking, the most common being sex trafficking and forced labor. It also does not help when parts of law enforcement and the government are being compliant. According to the U.S. Department of State, some parts of law enforcement have dismissed or downright justified cases, claiming that crimes such as forced labor in forced marriages, which sometimes can be linked to human trafficking, are “traditional practices or customs.” This harms Albania’s government and citizens if some parts of law enforcement are corrupt. This has been an ongoing issue; while it has improved as of present, bits of corruption still lingers.
Poverty also plays a part in this. After the Soviet Union’s collapse, Albania lost its most prominent supporter, meaning the economy suffered and poverty increased. According to a report from the Borgen Project, a nonprofit organization that tackles poverty, addressed that in Albania and everywhere, many traffickers target poor citizens because these traffickers know these poor citizens are desperate for money. They lure these people with fake promises and a bunch of lies so that they can trap them. With Albania having low to average economic decency, poverty is still relevant; poor citizens are still being targeted in the country.

Although these negatives have impacted Albania’s government, there is still some good. Albania has made efforts to acknowledge victims, spread awareness, and help protect its civilians. According to a report from the U.S. Department of State, Albania has worked with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to start campaigns and spread awareness about human trafficking; this way, citizens of Albania can be more informed about human trafficking and how to protect themselves. Education is essential, so educating civilians and helping them learn about this crime is a good start to change. With Albania advocating for educating the public about human trafficking, this is one of many steps this country has taken to improve as a country.

The Albanian government has used government funds to not only to help fund NGO-run shelters but also to create specialized shelters for human trafficking victims. Using government funds shows that the Albanian government advocates for tearing down human trafficking organizations, helping to save victims, and giving them support. This action has then led to the formation of the National Coalition of Anti-Trafficking Shelters (NCATS). This organization offers food, mental health counseling, education services, and more. These actions from the Albanian government represent Albania’s stance on abolishing human trafficking and helping support its citizens.

While in this committee, the delegation Albania seeks to expand further in spreading awareness of human trafficking within this country and will continue to give support to human trafficking victims. The delegation proposes that the UN not only increase the number of human trafficking shelters and further help fund non-government organizations to help complete their mission but also take inspiration from NCATS and use the organization’s tactics. According to a report that reviews NCATS’ previous works, many of NCATS’ tactics involve identifying victims and relocating them, taking them to shelters, and giving resources to help rebuild their lives. This is a very effective way to locate and protect victims; NCATS’ tactics on tackling human trafficking is something the delegation of Albania advises when making a resolution. The goal for this conference should also be about developing and evolving resources to help victims, and taking inspiration from not only NCATS but also many laws and other organizations against human trafficking will be beneficial when attempting to solve this issue. With allies that have better technology, more money, and a better outreach in the world, this resolution will help all countries have access to resources that can further improve that respective countries’ technology to better and accurately identify victims and also find human trafficking rings and put an end to them. Furthermore, the delegation of Albania hopes to collaborate with other delegations with similar ideals to promote and advocate for governments to step up and take action against human trafficking.

Works Cited
Britannica. “Human Trafficking.” Britannica, Oct 29, 2024, https://www.britannica.com/topic/human-trafficking.
The Borgen Project. “Human Trafficking in Albania: Escaping a Dark Past” The Borgen Project, Nov 3rd, 2021, https://borgenproject.org/human-trafficking-in-albania/.
U.S. Department of State. “2024 Trafficking in Persons Report: Albania.” U.S. Department of State, 2024, https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/albania/.
National Coalition of Anti-Trafficking Shelters. “Report on the contribution of the NCATS to the identification and assistance for victims of trafficking.” National Coalition of Anti-Trafficking Shelters, Oct 2009 to Sept 2010, https://drive.google.com/file/d/1S9GPvswxVeA5FL6tStUmcIs-RWvpWmUy/view?usp=drive_link.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Niger
Delegate Name: Emma Lairet-Sorensen

Human trafficking is a big issue worldwide. It is defined as the unlawful act of transporting or coercing people to benefit from their work or service, usually in the form of forced labor or sexual exploitation. Women and girls are about 70% of trafficked victims and survivors in Niger, and children are about 37% of victims. Human trafficking is a violation of many human rights and needs to be dealt with.
The UN has been working hard to address human trafficking since 1949. At the end of 2003, The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, Supplementing the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime was implemented. It addresses human trafficking as a crime and includes all forms of exploitation. From 2018 to 2023 the UNODC and the EU partnered in the Global Action against Trafficking in Persons and the Smuggling of Migrants. There have been many actions taken against human trafficking yet it is still an issue. The government of Niger believes that there needs to be more education on this matter to law enforcers and people in power. Stricter laws should also be put in place to prevent temptation. The National Coordinating Commission and the National Agency for the Fight against Trafficking in Persons (CNCLTP and ANLTP) have served as the coordinating task force for the transition government of Niger, helping anti-trafficking efforts. In 2023 the transition government put almost $85,000 into these organizations to prevent human trafficking, which almost doubled the amount provided the previous year.
The delegation of Niger would support a resolution for initiatives to cooperate internationally in order to fight trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling to discuss plans for establishing joint projects to refer, identify, and protect trafficked victims and smuggled migrants. Much of trafficking reports are of smuggled migrants across borders. In May 2022, Niger and Nigeria held a meeting with many officials that started a cross-border cooperation between the 2 countries. This happened because the passage between Niger and Nigeria is a big smuggling route for organized crime in both of these countries.
Partnering between countries could be a helpful solution to avoiding smuggling migrants across borders, which can help catch traffickers and save victims. Training border patrollers and police about human trafficking are also important. We should even teach the average community about this topic. Spreading awareness to young people about the dangers of trafficking, online or in person. Spreading awareness to parents and adults about the dangers their child could get into is also valuable.
In conclusion, the delegation of Niger would support resolutions to spread awareness, train border patrols, and cooperate across borders to prevent migrant smuggling, which will prevent human trafficking.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Sudan
Delegate Name: Matthew Seshul

Sudan has been plagued by many issues in recent years. Among them, internal conflict due to rebel groups, economic difficulties, and the refugee crisis all point towards the issue of human trafficking. These internal conflicts have provided greatly for the demand of trafficked children. This is due the government and rebel groups having child soldiers fight in various internal and external conflicts. Sudan has also seen large economic difficulties including high unemployment and inflation. This has resulted in many people being trafficked to work in manual labor positions like gold mining, brick making and agricultural work. The refugee crisis has done nothing but fan the flames regarding this issue. Many children from other nations seeking a better life in Europe stop through Sudan. These children are often taken advantage of in the busy streets of Sudan’s cities.

Nation’s stance:

The government of Sudan has pushed halt the spread of human trafficking. In 2021 the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking was launched. This program sought to stop human trafficking in Sudan by making policies to help with the protection of the millions of refugees that live in Sudan’s borders. Although moves have been made, there have been internal conflicts that have slowed progress. Sudan is overwhelmed with uprisings and rebel groups which don’t abide by the laws and policies of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking. This has resulted in the government of Sudan losing focus on the issue of human trafficking and rebel groups continuing to increase the amount of human trafficking occurring through demand for child soldiers to fight in these uprisings.

Resolution:

Sudan requires assistance from the United Nations in many areas that all point towards the issue of human trafficking. Firstly, many Sudanese people are not well educated with the average amount of time spent in school being 7-8 years. This has limited the success of many young people in Sudan and has left many vulnerable to being human trafficked. Another issue that has lead to human trafficking is the number of refugees in Sudan. The immense amount of refugees has lead to many getting taken advantage of. Sudan simply doesn’t have the capacity to host all of these refugees safely. There has also been political instability in Sudan for decades. This has caused recruitment of child soldiers and a lack of stability in efforts in stopping the issue of human trafficking. There have been solid efforts to stop human trafficking in the past including the founding of the National Committee to Combat Human Trafficking. These efforts have not been consistent. Sudan needs increased education, less refugees or better protection of refugees and most importantly a stable plan to help end human trafficking within Sudan’s borders.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Peru
Delegate Name: Izzy Sheppard

Delegate Name: Izzy Sheppard
Position: Republic of Peru
Committee:
School: Williamston High School
Topic: Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking is a crime that can take a variety of forms in a variety of places, however, one common goal of all Human Traffickers is the cruel exploitation of the persons they are trafficking. This exploitation can again take the form of sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, and even forced marriages. According to recent estimates, every day there are approximately 27.6 million victims of trafficking globally. The UN has taken many steps to address this terrible crime through programs and plans to avert, dismantle, and carry out discipline for traffickers. The largest example of these actions is Annex II of the UN’s United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols Thereto. This Annex defines and outlines a nation’s steps to approaching the removal of human trafficking and was proposed by the UN in 2000. It seeks to aid member countries with establishing anti-trafficking laws and sets requirements for participating countries to meet regarding their laws and regulations. The UN has also set up programs to bring more awareness and incite more action against human trafficking such as the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, which brings attention to human trafficking, and highlights major issues that need to be addressed by member nations of the UN.
The Republic of Peru has taken many steps to combat this horrible crime. Peru, for illegal trafficking rings, serves as a major hub for transporting, luring, and capturing people into a trafficking ring. While in the past, Peru has taken minimal steps to combat this crime, recent legislation and actions by the government have proven a commitment to tackling human trafficking. In 2000, Peru adopted the United Nations Protocol to counter Human Trafficking. More recently, in 2023, the Peruvian government opened and investigated 1,275 different human trafficking cases, a much larger number compared to past years, showing a growth in Peru’s prosecution of human traffickers. Peru’s laws regarding the trafficking of human beings are broad and thus allow for more prosecution, and prison sentences range from 8-15 years of imprisonment for adult victims, 12-20 years for those imprisoning people between the ages of 14-18, and a minimum of 25 years for those trafficking people under 14. Additionally, the government has made more efforts to prevent the trafficking of persons, by creating 25 coordination bodies to monitor, spread awareness of human trafficking, and give more access to resources for reporting and escaping human trafficking to their respective areas.
In the future, the Republic of Peru would like to pursue more options to counter human trafficking. One such solution could be to further promote plans to expand access to authorities and bring awareness to human trafficking abroad. To achieve this, Peru would like to see the encouragement of nations to develop and establish outreach programs, and a network between nations to share and have more transparency regarding major human trafficking rings that function in and between nations. Furthermore, Peru would support a suggestion of the establishment of an international group, that all nations could affiliate with, that would monitor human trafficking, a nation dedicated to the mission, and guide member nations requesting aid in the fight against the trafficking of human beings.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Belarus
Delegate Name: Julian Andare

The government of Belarus takes human trafficking seriously, and is taking measures to prevent these horrible acts. It is a goal of Belarus on the international stage to combat this illegal activity. Belarus has been taking strict measures to crack down. These measures include mass investigations, passing new laws, and integrating victims into the Belarusian workforce. The Republic of Belarus is a party to many major international agreements related to the topic of combating human trafficking. Including these resolutions: The UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime adopted on the 15th of November 2000 (adopted by resolution 55/25 of the UN General Assembly); Protocol to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, which was also adopted on the 15th of November 2000 (adopted by resolution 55/25 of the UN General Assembly) and others. Belarus was also a key proponent in forming the international trafficking in persons day on July 30th. These attempts at eliminating human trafficking display the commitment of Belarus to reduce the amount of persons trafficked through Belarus and other member states. The summit of Belarus’ efforts was at the UN 2005 summit when present Lukashenko called for intensification of international efforts to combat human trafficking. Since then, 5 major resolutions have been passed in the general assembly to combat human trafficking and one was tabled. The United Nations General Assembly is set to convene no later than December 2025 to review the Global Plan of action to Combat Trafficking in Persons, another motion seconded by belarus. As previously stated, these attempts make clear Belarus’ commitment to this issue and how Belarus has led the path to finding a far more permanent solution to these criminal acts.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Ireland
Delegate Name: Anna Preston

Country: Ireland
Topic: Human Trafficking
Committee: SOCHUM
Delegate: Anna Preston
School: Williamston High School

1 in 3 victims of human trafficking is a child, 7/10 are women. According to the Global Report on Trafficking in Persons (GLOTIP) by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), children are twice as likely as adults to face violence during trafficking. The UNODC also estimates that there are over 24.9 million victims of human trafficking worldwide at any given time. Human trafficking includes forced labour, crime, begging, illegal adoption, sexual abuse. The factors that impact human trafficking include poverty, dysfunctional families, as well as immigration with minors being unaccompanied as well as homeless. Trafficking networks operate both domestically and internationally, often using weak border security and legal systems. Victims are transported across borders or within countries to locations where they can be exploited.
UN treaties relating to human trafficking that Ireland has signed include; The Protocol to Prevent Suppress and Punish Trafficking in PersonsEspecially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. Signed in 2000 and a ratification in 2010 for Ireland, which aimed to prevent and punish human traffickers. Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Act 2024 signed into law which puts an identification and support process for victims of trafficking into legislation in Ireland. In 2008, Ireland was one of many destination countries for women, men, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor. The Global Slavery Index (2018) estimated that there are 8,000 victims in Ireland. However, between 2015 and 2019, An Garda Síochána only identified 293 adult victims of human trafficking and 25 child victims of human trafficking. These victims typically come from Nigeria, Romania, Albania and Kenya. Ireland established a specific human trafficking law entitled the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008, which was amended by the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking)(Amendment) Act 2013. The Irish Government, in its Second National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat Human Trafficking in Ireland 2016, recognised human trafficking as a complex issue that involves a diverse range of victims and circumstances.

Ireland has been actively working to combat the atrocities of human trafficking both within the country as well as globally. Ireland’s approach is with legislative measures, victim support, and international cooperation. Ireland is dedicated to implementing anti-trafficking laws and having a special force in the police force to help give specialized services for human trafficking victims. This includes giving legal aid, healthcare, and shelter. Ireland as well focuses on media to educate citizens about the dangers of trafficking, how to get help if you are a victim and how to avoid being trafficked as well. Internationally Ireland is a participant in the European Union’s anti- trafficking efforts. Ireland is also a participant in the United Nations and supports global frameworks for anti trafficking subjects, such as the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children. Ireland would like to ally with other members of the European Union to fight against Human Trafficking . This includes; Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Guyana
Delegate Name: Andrew Gerrits

Human trafficking is one of the most evil and despicable crimes on the planet, with women and children being the most vulnerable, often being kidnapped and brought across international borders being subjected or coerced into forced labor, domestic servitude, or sexual slavery. The time to end this vile practice is now and the delegation of Guyana is committed to its eradication on all levels.
The UN has done significant work to help stave and ultimately end human trafficking. The Palermo protocol is the primary piece of legislation to prevent and punish human trafficking by fighting key factors that lead to human trafficking such as poverty, food scarcity, and lack of education as well as defining human trafficking, assisting trafficked persons, and attempting to stem the demand for trafficked persons. The UNODC has assisted across the world in helping implement this policy in persons by developing policies, providing resources, and training officials to help enforce and combat human trafficking.

Guyana is fully committed to ending human trafficking within its borders and globally and has taken countless steps, especially in recent years to put an end to this heinous crime. The Combating Trafficking of Persons Act of 2005, has been effective in prosecuting human traffickers, and Guyana has set up training for law enforcement, put in place measures to protect vulnerable populations, built care homes for child trafficking victims, developed partnerships with NGOs, and collaborated closely with the IOM, and the US to bolster its capabilities for fighting human trafficking among many other initiatives to put an end to modern-day slavery.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Spain
Delegate Name: Madelyn Lower

Committee: The Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee
Topic: Human Trafficking
Country: The Kingdom of Spain
Delegate: Madelyn Lower, New Prairie High School, New Carlisle, IN

Human trafficking, as defined by the United Nations, is the “recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of people through force, fraud, or deception, with the aim of exploiting them for profit.” This practice includes many forms, including forced labor, domestic servitude, forced child labor, sex trafficking, and child sex trafficking. Despite recent awareness directed at the issue, the practice of human trafficking has increased to approximately 24.9 million people each year, but it is impossible to know an exact consensus. In order to address this issue, 175 nations have enacted legislation prohibiting human trafficking.

The Kingdom of Spain expresses great concern for the growing number of victims of human trafficking and greatly condemns this barbaric practice. In November of 2022, Spain established the Comprehensive Law to Combat Trafficking and Exploitation of Human Beings, aiming to provide assistance and support to victims and deter the practice. Article 318 of the Criminal and Penal Code punishes any human trafficking offenders with five to fifteen years in prison. Due to its geographic location, Spain is frequently used as a transit country connecting the Americas and Africa to Europe and Asia. Spain is actively in the process of implementing the National Strategic Plan to prevent this by intercepting traffickers at the border.

All forms of human trafficking are violations of basic human rights and are considered modern slavery. In order to address the concerns of human trafficking, Spain proposes, in conjunction with the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR), the following strategies to combat this crime:

While several nations have already established laws and regulations against this practice, there is a pressing need for more severe repercussions for violators. This plan begins with increased enforcement against traffickers to deter them from the practice. Additionally, Spain suggests increased border control and a more thorough identification process of all individuals leaving or entering the country, which will help limit the illegal trafficking of persons.

Citations:

“Human Trafficking.” United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, https://www.unodc.org/unodc/human-trafficking/. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.
Dyvik, Einar H. “Topic: Human Trafficking.” Statista, www.statista.com/topics/4238/human-trafficking/. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.
U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of State, www.state.gov/reports/2022-trafficking-in-persons-report/spain/#:~:text=The%Government%of%Spain%fully,for%the%second%consecutive%year. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.
“Spain.” Migration and Home Affairs, home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/internal-security/organised-crime-and-human-trafficking/together-against-trafficking-human-beings/eu-countries/spain_en#:~:text=National%Strategic%Plan%against%trafficking,from%all%the parties%involved.&text=There%has%also%been%collaboration,Network%against%Trafficking%in%Persons. Accessed 12 Nov. 2024.

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.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Germany
Delegate Name: Macie Minor

Human trafficking is defined as “the unlawful act of transporting or coercing people in order to benefit from their work or service, typically in the form of forced labor or sexual exploitation”. Yet, that definition is far from covering the convoluted business that is human trafficking. There are about 27 million victims of human trafficking each year, around 60% of victims will be female, and about 38% of all victims will be sexually exploited with the rest being forced into labor(“Human Trafficking – Polaris”). More than 155 countries deal with human trafficking with only a few having truly effective legislative actions against offenders, with some lacking any form of policies or repercussions against said offenders. T The biggest obstacles the UN faces with human trafficking is the securing of unmonitored borders, loose migration policies, and the lack of reporting as well as victim resources.
Germany as of recent years has done its part to increase the funding and efforts surrounding the fight against human trafficking. Germany has funded multiple projects such as Ukrainian victims in “lover boy” trafficking and a widely used victim hotline which helped implement more hotlines across the country. With regard to more trafficked labor practices, Germany has cracked down on forced labor and employment passing multiple multiple pieces of legislation such as The Human Rights Due Diligence Act requiring companies with over 1,00 employees to do their due diligence through risk management and risk control all overseen by the Federal Office of Economic Affairs and Export Control. 2023’s Passport Act is a great example of Germany’s efforts toward preventive methods of trafficking that have shown an increase of awareness and safety (“2024 Trafficking in Persons Report: Germany”).
Considering the increase of human trafficking and its now digital life Germany can not emphasize the vitality of preventative measures and greater governmental involvement in the passing of new and stricter legislation. The Protocol passed in November of 2000 covers a majority of increasing campaigns, stricter convictions, and more restrictive border and migration practices, but lacks to address the evolution of trafficking facilitated online. Training and awareness campaigns should now also be shared to social media with greater focus on online safety and the warning behaviors that traffickers and risky messages exhibit. Similarly, tourism destinations need to be far more regulated, such as permission forms and passes granted in specific areas including background checks of criminal history. Funding in all areas should continue to increase annually even in small percentages. Support for NGOs, investigative organizations and efforts, and victim support resources must be more widespread and distributed between all areas. It is the UN’s responsibility to ensure the safety and future of upcoming generations as well as protecting past victims in all areas.

Works Cited
“Human Trafficking – Polaris.” Polaris Project, https://polarisproject.org/human-trafficking/. Accessed 25 November 2024.
“2024 Trafficking in Persons Report: Germany.” U.S. Department of State, https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/germany/. Accessed 26 November 2024.
United Nations. “Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, Supplementing the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime.”
United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, www.unodc.org/res/human-trafficking/2021the-protocol-tip_html/TIP.pdf.
“Germany – United States Department of State.” United States Department of State, 24 June 2024, www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/germany.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Brazil
Delegate Name: Ethan Wadsworth

Topic B: Human Trafficking
The Federative Republic of Brazil recognizes Human Trafficking as a problematic crime involving the capture of an individual to be used in an exploitative manner such as forced labor, illicit services, or commercial sex. This is a global issue that spans across borders, and the very nature of human trafficking is abusing the lack of international communication. The victims are typically young boys or girls native to the country they were taken from or tourists visiting other countries however, it is not limited to these two groups they are the typical targets for these crimes. There are an estimated 27.6 million currently being trafficked worldwide. This crime is an issue that is not limited to borders and is an exploitative crime that deprives millions of dignity and even more of their families.

The Federative Republic of Brazil currently faces the problem of human trafficking within our borders. Currently forced labor is the most prevalent form in our nation where young men are taken and forced into slave labor. Brazil has created highly specialized task forces that deal with this crime in particular. Brazil has conducted multiple undercover raids to intercept and disrupt this heinous crime. Many laws have also been passed to halt this crime from escalating such as in 2016 when Law 13,344/2016 was put into order to stop human trafficking. This included updating the definitions of terms relating to trafficking organs, humans, and labor. The punishments for these crimes have now been clearly defined based on what form of human trafficking.

The Federative Republic of Brazil emphasizes the importance of aggravating factors such as “Organized Crime Law” known as RICO in the United States. Charges and other factors such as the trafficking of minors and harsh treatment of trafficked individuals, as well as cross-border cases, are considered aggravating factors. Brazil believes that the international community should develop a standard practice for these crimes, and appeals to the United Nations to consider turning these standards into international standards for all nations.

Brazil has been dedicated and will continue to be devoted to the importance of problem-solving in this line of work. Brazil task forces now work in tandem to locate observe and capture human trafficking. We believe that with further work the international community could eventually be completely functional in a combination.

We as the Federative Republic of Brazil look forward to creating resolutions that focus on international communication and an effective task force to curb this issue. Brazil stands against human trafficking and wishes to implement new ways to effectively relay information between each sovereign state.

Finally, we wish to address the protection of victims of human trafficking. Brazil believes that these individuals are highly vulnerable, especially to organized crime. The Federative Republic of Brazil advocates for strong support of these individuals, whether an international fund or the creation of local legislation to protect victims. Brazil wishes to work together with fellow delegates to find creative solutions to these issues.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: India
Delegate Name: Evangeline Harris

Topic B: Human Trafficking
“Human trafficking among children in India has been on the rise since the COVID-19 pandemic. New Delhi alone has seen a 68% surge in trafficking cases since the global lockdown. Many of these cases go beyond abduction as children are used as labor.“ This global crime has a significant impact on India as a source, transit, and destination country. Exploitation, such as slavery, organ trafficking, and forced labor affects particularly women and children. Regarding its commitment to the UN’s goals to end human trafficking, India acknowledges the pressing need for a united international response to this epidemic.
The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) and its Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, is something that India supports. However, ongoing difficulties necessitate additional national and international actions to improve prosecution, prevention, and protection. Through legislative and policy frameworks, enforcement and coordination, and victim support and rehabilitation, including a bill that offers a strong legal foundation to combat trafficking and support victims, as well as cooperative efforts with neighboring countries that concentrate on cross-border trafficking prevention, India has taken proactive measures to address human trafficking. India feels that international action is necessary for eliminating human trafficking. The UN must keep up its financial and technical support, but member nations—including India—must be responsible for putting policies into practice and making necessary adjustments locally. The international community can tackle this situation holistically by integrating preventive measures, international cooperation, and strong assessment systems. As a moral requirement and a pillar of human rights protection, India urges member nations to make the fight against human trafficking a top priority.

Bibliography:
Chibber, S. (2024, April 8). Child Trafficking and Child Labor Continues to Plague India. Retrieved from Human Rights First website: https://humanrightsfirst.org/library/child-trafficking-and-child-labor-continues-to-plague-india/
Parker, L. (2022, May 16). Human Trafficking in India. Retrieved from The Exodus Road website: https://theexodusroad.com/human-trafficking-in-india/

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: United Kingdom
Delegate Name: Luci Perez-Simons

The United Kingdom is strongly determined to limit human trafficking and save and support all humans from it. Human trafficking is modern-day slavery, and our committee must find solutions to keep citizens of the world safe from it. Dating back to 1919, the League of Nations created the International Labor Organization, dedicated to combatting child labor globally. In past years, the United Nations passed the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989, which defined key human rights. Additionally, the United Nations passed the Palermo Protocol, which defines trafficking, encourages awareness campaigns for human trafficking, and promotes global cooperation (United Nations).

The United Kingdom has taken lots of action to combat human trafficking and to support victims. For instance, the United Kingdom passed the Modern Slavery Act of 2015, which outlined strict punishments for those who commit human trafficking crimes, defined human trafficking and modern-day slavery, and outlined support for victims (Legislation UK). Additionally, the United Kingdom passed other legislation in 2019- the National Referral Mechanisms- which helped identify victims of modern slavery and human trafficking and ensured that victims got the necessary support (Gov.UK). Specifically, the National Referral Mechanisms outlines support in the forms of legal advice, accommodation, protection, and “independent emotional and practical help.” The United Kingdom has also played significant roles in UN committees and other global legislation, such as the Palermo Protocol and the European Convention on Human Rights.

The United Kingdom highly advises that the committee follows preceding legislation that has worked. For instance, both the Modern Slavery Act and the National Referral Mechanisms have ensured more transparency in supply chain management. Although there have been numerous pieces of legislation passed, human trafficking is still an issue. The committee can supplement these legislations by strengthening individual nations’ protocols. The UN can and should urge that every country create more legislation to combat human trafficking. For instance, the United Nations should provide help to nations that lack the resources to implement legislation. Countries could donate funding and assistance. Additionally, the United Nations should come up with stronger technology to help combat such issues.

The United Kingdom is looking forward to creating global resolutions through this committee. As a committee, the best way we can supplement legislation is by honing in on individual nations and making sure every nation can actually implement legislation passed by the UN. We must ensure that we have a correct balance of power between the UN and individual nations.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Kenya
Delegate Name: Ruby Bohanan

Committee: Social, Humanitarian & Cultural Committee
Country: Kenya
Delegate: Ruby Bohanan
Topic B: Human Trafficking

Throughout the years, the nations of the world have struggled against the threat of human trafficking. Kenya has personally struggled with this, being classified a tier two country, in respects to trafficking, despite numerous efforts. While the nation has started to make steps towards reformation in this aspect, many things such as prosecution of perpetrators, military training across all branches, and databases are falling behind. This can be easily applied to many countries in the United Nations, with only around sixteen percent of participating countries being tier one in the official report. All nations need to come together and agree on more encompassing solutions to this issue.

Kenya believes that the United Nations needs to start creating regulations that are preventative rather than the already existing retroactive measures. The UN has already exceedingly focused on the important values of victims’ rights after their rescue, but not much attention on what measures can help prevent these crimes. Kenya is currently taking steps in this direction such as recognizing the lack of training in the military branches, which need training on spotting cases of human trafficking. This reveals the need for education across a broader spectrum of the population. When educated, citizens are more attentive towards various situations that could get them or someone else trafficked. This can create awareness and decrease stigma towards the discussion of the topic. Nations also need to examine the circumstances that create vulnerable groups that have higher rates of being trafficked. These systemic issues might include poverty or prejudice towards victims, such as racial or sexual orientation. Poverty creates desperate situations where the people suffering from it easily fall victim to crimes such as human trafficking. The same is true for people who have heavy prejudice surrounding them from their community, this can make the victims feel isolated and become targets for human trafficking. While these are both broader issues, all nations need to consider looking at where crimes and victims come from rather than the result. By taking out the roots of these issues, human trafficking as a whole will decrease.

Kenya supports all efforts of protecting victims of human trafficking, both proactively and retroactively. As previously stated, Kenya wishes to focus on the deep-rooted issues of human trafficking to further decrease the numbers of victims. While funding and other such provisions for victims have previously been discussed by the UN, Kenya wants to focus on the larger image of the issue. The ideas generated by previous discussion are military and civilian training as well as tackling systemic problems that create vulnerable groups. The training for the military can be conducted in a way that both highlights spotting of victims and perpetrators as well as how to assist these victims. While Kenya does not want to sacrifice any elements of sovereignty in this practice, the UN should provide guidelines for the education of officers and encourage all participating countries to implement them by a certain time. This degree of sovereignty can also be placed upon the education of civilians, who need to be informed of ways to avoid falling victim as well as how to help those in need without endangering themselves. Countries could choose to do this through educational programs in schools, easy access databases of relevant information, and mass-media campaigns. Tackling the systemic roots of the issue takes a larger scope, as poverty and prejudice are not easily solved. While neither issue can be properly solved without a larger internal focus of countries, the United Nations can still act. The UN can recommend certain programs in poverty-stricken areas such as shelters, educational programs, and special offices within these areas. The shelter can act as safe places for people to land, out of the way of trafficking, while educational programs can show how to protect themselves. The offices would likely consist of experts in the handling of trafficking, and other such issues, who would be present if or when human trafficking occurs. The offices would be government or charity based, with strong connections to law enforcement to ensure safety of any victims. Concerning prejudice, the offices can also provide support to those rejected by their communities for any such reason. They can be provided with somewhere to stay via the shelters and educated of dangers via educational programs. All of these solutions should guide the United Nations towards a decrease in human trafficking by approaching the issues from a systemic level.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Republic of Korea
Delegate Name: Lydia Harlan The prevalence of human trafficking all over the world is incredibly disheartening. To become trafficked the trafficker might use violence, force, fraudulent employment agencies, fake promises–education or jobs–, or blackmail. There are five main types of human trafficking including forced labor, sex, forced marriage, domestic servitude, and child soldiers. Over 46 million people are currently in modern slavery 12 million of them only children, and over 50% women or girls–while 74% of women or girls in general are trafficked–. There were 88 million cases filed for child sexual abuse alone, an overwhelming amount, sex trafficking is 61% of the trafficking in general making it the most common type. While human trafficking was a problem before the advancements in technology, it has gotten so much worse with the spread and advancements of social media, and other forms of the internet. The Republic of Korea is on the top tier list along with 33 other countries and territories. The report includes noting increased trafficking investigations, the prosecution and conviction of a higher number of traffickers, implementation of the victim identification index, identification of 55 trafficking victims, initiation of the trial of an alleged complicit official, and increased cooperation with civil society organizations. The Republic of Korea also has the Act on Prevention of Human Trafficking and Protection of Victims, which helps ensure the safety of those in our country and was put in place in 2021. Also in 2021 the Sexual Exploitation of Boys South Korea Report was released, this helped the cultural thought that sexual exploitation and human trafficking only happening to females have a slightly lower prevalence. Our republic also has a released Global Organized Crime Index, which expresses each issue that is a problem in our country, and how it affects us. The Republic of Korea wants to recognize our human rights bureau is working to keep up with these and continuing to engage in helping our country. In the future, the Republic of Korea would like to first and foremost keep pushing our current acts of legislation and supporting United Nations resolutions against human trafficking. We would also like to keep enforcing our legislation and prosecuting criminals in the illegal market of trafficking humans. As for the future, the Republic of Korea is very interested in working with other countries and hearing their ideas, as for our republic we think having a system where the internet could be utilized from our side would be smart as human trafficking prevalence has grown with the development of the internet and other technologies. Additionally, raising awareness of certain areas to avoid, since sketchy areas–at night especially–are common scenes of trafficking, or even raising the awareness of trafficking in general internationally. Our country wants to recognize the prevalence of human trafficking in the international world and in our country alone, 1,432 individuals have been reported for using our victim identification index and referral SOPs. On that track we only expect the Republic of Korea to continue to see this number grow and we will ambitiously try and double these numbers for 2025. It is in not only our best interest but the world’s to attack the problem of human trafficking together, and although not the richest country the Republic of Korea will extend some funding to other countries we work with on this pressing issue. https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_mobile/viewer.do?hseq=61852&type=part&key=38 https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/11/korea-failed-protect-three-filipino-women-trafficking-victims-and-ensure https://ourrescue.org/education/research-and-trends/human-trafficking-statistics https://www.unodc.org/roseap/en/what-we-do/index.html https://www.migrationdataportal.org/themes/human-trafficking https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/global-report-on-trafficking-in-persons.html https://www.ctdatacollaborative.org/global-synthetic-data-dashboard https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230702000110 https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/11/113_377322.html https://ocindex.net/assets/downloads/2023/english/ocindex_profile_korea_rep_2023.pdf https://www.ungeneva.org/en/news-media/meeting-summary/2024/07/examen-de-la-republique-de-coree-au-cat-la-definition-de-la https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/south-korea/ https://ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Global-Boys-Initiative-South-Korea-National-Report_English.pdf

The prevalence of human trafficking all over the world is incredibly disheartening. To become trafficked the trafficker might use violence, force, fraudulent employment agencies, fake promises–education or jobs–, or blackmail. There are five main types of human trafficking including forced labor, sex, forced marriage, domestic servitude, and child soldiers. Over 46 million people are currently in modern slavery 12 million of them only children, and over 50% women or girls–while 74% of women or girls in general are trafficked–. There were 88 million cases filed for child sexual abuse alone, an overwhelming amount, sex trafficking is 61% of the trafficking in general making it the most common type. While human trafficking was a problem before the advancements in technology, it has gotten so much worse with the spread and advancements of social media, and other forms of the internet.
The Republic of Korea is on the top tier list along with 33 other countries and territories. The report includes noting increased trafficking investigations, the prosecution and conviction of a higher number of traffickers, implementation of the victim identification index, identification of 55 trafficking victims, initiation of the trial of an alleged complicit official, and increased cooperation with civil society organizations. The Republic of Korea also has the Act on Prevention of Human Trafficking and Protection of Victims, which helps ensure the safety of those in our country and was put in place in 2021. Also in 2021 the Sexual Exploitation of Boys South Korea Report was released, this helped the cultural thought that sexual exploitation and human trafficking only happening to females have a slightly lower prevalence. Our republic also has a released Global Organized Crime Index, which expresses each issue that is a problem in our country, and how it affects us. The Republic of Korea wants to recognize that our human rights bureau is working to keep up with these and continues to engage in helping our country.
In the future, the Republic of Korea would like to first and foremost keep pushing our current acts of legislation and supporting United Nations resolutions against human trafficking. We would also like to keep enforcing our legislation and prosecuting criminals in the illegal market of trafficking humans. As for the future, the Republic of Korea is very interested in working with other countries and hearing their ideas, as for our republic we think having a system where the internet could be utilized from our side would be smart as human trafficking prevalence has grown with the development of the internet and other technologies. Additionally, raising awareness of certain areas to avoid, since sketchy areas–at night especially–are common scenes of trafficking, or even raising the awareness of trafficking in general internationally. Our country wants to recognize the prevalence of human trafficking in the international world and in our country alone, 1,432 individuals have been reported for using our victim identification index and referral SOPs. On that track we only expect the Republic of Korea to continue to see this number grow and we will ambitiously try and double these numbers for 2025. It is in not only our best interest but the world’s to attack the problem of human trafficking together, and although not the richest country the Republic of Korea will extend some funding to other countries we work with on this pressing issue.

https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_mobile/viewer.do?hseq=61852&type=part&key=38

https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2023/11/korea-failed-protect-three-filipino-women-trafficking-victims-and-ensure

https://ourrescue.org/education/research-and-trends/human-trafficking-statistics

https://www.unodc.org/roseap/en/what-we-do/index.html

https://www.migrationdataportal.org/themes/human-trafficking

https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/global-report-on-trafficking-in-persons.html

https://www.ctdatacollaborative.org/global-synthetic-data-dashboard

https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20230702000110

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/11/113_377322.html

https://ocindex.net/assets/downloads/2023/english/ocindex_profile_korea_rep_2023.pdf

https://www.ungeneva.org/en/news-media/meeting-summary/2024/07/examen-de-la-republique-de-coree-au-cat-la-definition-de-la

https://www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/south-korea/

https://ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Global-Boys-Initiative-South-Korea-National-Report_English.pdf

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Mexico
Delegate Name: Gwyneth Wyckoff

Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee
Human Trafficking
Mexico
Portage Central High School

The Republic of the United Mexican States wishes to inform the definition of what human trafficking is, it’s the illegal transport of humans for the benefit of the captors in the ways of work or service. In 2003 signed a protocol, the United Nations Protocol against Trafficking in Persons, many member states of the UN have implemented the report but some states still lack the necessary legal instruments or political will. Many of these UN countries and others suffer from these two main forms of trafficking, sexual exploitation and forced labor. 97% of all human trafficking comes from these two forms.

The Republic of the United Mexican States has worked to eliminate human trafficking from prosecution of suspects and convicting more traffickers. Mexico and its officials try their hardest to limit trafficking across the country. Mexico signed the United Nations Protocol against Trafficking in Persons back in 2003. The past years since the signing, human trafficking has been down, but still high due to not yet being able to fully disband trafficking.

In the future Mexico wishes to fully end human trafficking in the country. But Mexico must have a few things before then. The republic needs to have safety for the victims, and the ability to prosecute the traffickers. Finally Mexico needs to have support from all branches to end trafficking.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: France
Delegate Name: Emily Chen

Great Lakes Invitational Conference Association

Delegation of France
Social, Cultural, and Humanitarian Committee

Action Against Human Trafficking

Around the world, it is estimated that 27 million people are victims to human trafficking, also known as trafficking in persons (2024 Trafficking). According to the 2022 Global Report on Trafficking in Persons done by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime or UNODC, authorities struggle to detect and protect trafficking victims, with more than 50 percent of all human trafficking cases being brought forward by victims or their families (UN). Millions of victims are being subjected to this crime unnoticed, with little to no ways to call for help. Many of these victims have no legal status in the country they are taken to, whether promised a better life or otherwise, and are shackled by these fake promises made by traffickers. From the same report done by the UNODC, it is reported that women and girls account for around 60 percent of detected victims and are more likely to suffer from sexual exploitation and higher levels of violence from their captors. Men and boys on the other hand were much more likely to be exploited for criminal activities and forced labor (UN). While those two forms of human trafficking are the most common, other forms of human trafficking exist such as being exploited for organ removal, forced marriages, and domestic servitude (The Crime). Among the victims identified by the Counter Trafficking Data Collective, around 50 percent of them are under the age of 26, and almost a quarter of them are children. 21.2 percent of the identified victims, the highest percentage group, are from 9 to 17 years old (Human). Common conditions that lead to people becoming victims of human trafficking varies from case to case, but there are common factors. Some are in search of better living conditions than the ones they are currently living in such as lack of human rights, poverty, and oppression. There are cases where children are sold, not just for the money, but in hopes for them to live a life outside of the chronic poverty they live in now. Displacement and destabilization of populations can also increase the number of victims due to an increase in vulnerability to exploitation and trafficking. Wars that lead to massive displacements leave orphans and “street children” extremely vulnerable to human trafficking (OSCE).

France has passed several plans and created several organizations as a way to combat human trafficking. In 2014, France adopted the first national plan against human trafficking. In the second plan for the 2019 – 2022 period 45 measures are written, with the main goals of the plan being to spread awareness, set a strategy to identify trafficked victims, and provide proper and effective protection for said victims, especially minors (Ministère). France also created the ONDRP, a French organization made to collect and analyze statistical information as well as produce “accounts of developments and trends in crimes and misdemeanors” (Definition). In their latest survey, ONDRP worked with 53 associations that provided data on 2,918 human trafficking victims in 2018 (SOURD). Despite all this, France is struggling to protect and prevent trafficking. Even though France has identified more trafficking victims, increased efforts to engage with survivors of human trafficking in police decisions and continues to participate in extensive international investigations and partnerships in 2024, France has also “initiated fewer investigations, prosecuted fewer suspected traffickers for the fourth consecutive year, and convicted fewer traffickers” (France). Government-funded NGOs have also assisted fewer victims despite funding for victim assistance increases and as well as victims identified and law enforcement authorities are continuing to arrest and prosecute child victims (France).

Human trafficking is an issue that must be tackled immediately. One of the ways the Delegation of France proposes on tackling this situation as a preventative measure is to spread awareness. Many of the problems in France when it comes to assisting victims are the assumptions surrounding them. Authorities have excluded victims of forced criminality from needed assistance due to mischaracterization of them as delinquents or illegal workers (France). The Delegation of France proposes a way to educate not only the people, but also government officials who are enacting the arrests. This plan will be in cooperation with other nations, sharing data with one other as well as ways to help identify victims of human trafficking without relying on assumptions. Along with the shared data, the Delegation of France proposes an educational program for the public to recognize signs of human trafficking and what to do in response. Information such as that should be easily accessible to the public, and a good way to make them accessible as well as spread the word is through social media. Along with social media, this educational program will be working with NGOs and governments to provide a better understanding of how to identify human trafficking victims. The Delegation of France also proposes a national fund for the protection and assistance of victims. The fund will be provided by countries giving 0.5 percent of their GDP. This fund will be used to provide aid to victims such as financial aid, medical aid, and housing for those who need it. It is also prevalent to make sure nations follow the “non-punishment” principle, a principle that “seeks to ensure that governments recognize this concept and implement measures to provide protection to victims of trafficking from inappropriate punishment and further victimization” (OFFICE). Victims of this crime already suffer from being exploited, often for long durations of time, and the non-punishment principle can prevent further hardship on these people. The goal of protecting the victims of human trafficking as well as the prevention of human trafficking is one every nation should work towards.

Bibliography

“2024 Trafficking in Persons Report – United States Department of State.” United States Department of State, 23 Aug. 2024, www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
“The Crime: Defining Human Trafficking.” United Nations : Office on Drugs and Crime, www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/crime.html. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
Definition – French National Supervisory Body on Crime and Punishment / ONDRP / ONDRP | Insee. www.insee.fr/en/metadonnees/definition/c1162. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
“France – United States Department of State.” United States Department of State, 24 June 2024, www.state.gov/reports/2024-trafficking-in-persons-report/france. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
“Human Trafficking.” Migration Data Portal, 31 July 2024, www.migrationdataportal.org/themes/human-trafficking. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
Ministère de l’Europe et des Affaires étrangères. “Fight Against Human Trafficking.” France Diplomacy – Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/french-foreign-policy/human-rights/fight-against-human-trafficking. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
OFFICE TO MONITOR AND COMBAT TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS and United States Department of State. “Protecting Victims of Trafficking: The Non-Punishment Principle.” Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, June 2023, www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Protecting-Victims-of-Trafficking-The-Non-Punishment-Principle.pdf. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
OSCE. Toolkit to Combat Trafficking in Persons. www.unodc.org/documents/human-trafficking/Toolkit-files/08-58296_tool_9-2.pdf.
SOURD, Amandine, et al. Trafficking in Human Beings in France: Profile of Victims Accompanied by Associations in 2018. report, 2018, www.ihemi.fr/sites/default/files/publications/files/2020-09/ga_52_trafficking_human_beings_france_2018_0.pdf. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.
“UN Calls for Urgent Action Against Human Trafficking.” UN News, 31 July 2023, news.un.org/en/story/2023/07/1139282. Accessed 15 Nov. 2024.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Morocco
Delegate Name: Rosalia Lascola

Great Lakes Invitational Model United Nations Conference

Delegation: Morocco 
Committee: Social, Humanitarian, & Cultural Committee  

Human trafficking is a significant problem that every country across the world is facing. This is a multi-million-dollar criminal industry that is not good for anyone (background guide). Money is not the only reason why human trafficking is committed, people commit this crime for slavery, exploitation and trading too (Oxford). Most of the time, the people who are taken due to human trafficking are women and children. This is a major problem because in most countries, women do not have enough rights to speak out for themselves. As a result, if something starts to happen, women may not be able to tell anyone, or people might not listen to them. Another major problem that the world is facing now is that most of the time, human traffickers take their captives then flee the country (United). They do this because there is currently no worldwide law that allows one country to arrest someone on another country’s behalf or for one country to arrest people in a different country (United). Extradition laws do help with this problem as they allow one country or state to deliver a criminal back to where they came from, allowing them to be punished properly. This is a major problem as it leads to human traffickers to not being punished for their crimes as quickly because they are no longer in that country anymore. There are some ways around this issue that the UN has made. These resolutions to the problems include different countries being able to work together (United). This is very helpful as it allows countries to work together to catch someone or to find people, but this also is not the best method for catching human traffickers. It may take countries time to communicate and make decisions which is not time we have here. By the time one country has made their decision, the human traffickers could have moved on to a different country restarting this whole process. 

In Morocco, human trafficking has been a major problem in the past. This is so significant that Morocco’s major cities have been known for their sex trafficking and sexual exploitation (Philipp). Morrocco has recognized this issue and is working towards fixing it. They have held seminars on how to recognize human trafficking and how to prevent it (Training). These have taken place all around the country to try and inform everyone who wanted to attend about human trafficking. This solution to the problem has helped a bit but not enough. The people who have been trafficked in Morocco are mostly young boys for manual labor and slavery and young girls and women for servants and sex trafficking (U.S.). Morocco has put child labor laws into place in more recent years which has helped a bit but not enough (U.S.). For most children in Morocco who have been trafficked, it has happened when they were on their way to or from work. The families of these children are poor, which is why the children needed to work in the first place, and their families cannot afford to pay to get their children back. In 2022, there was 120 reported cases of human trafficking (U.S.). This number still does not represent the number of lives affected by this trafficking and the number of cases that went unreported. These 120 reported cases are much better than they would have been in the past but there is still room for improvement.  

People all around the world are affected by human trafficking daily. Some people have loved ones who have been human trafficked, and others are being or have been human trafficked. This means that we need to work fast to come up with a solution to our problem. The United Nations could create a UN Police Force that would be able to help anywhere that is needed. People who are already police could join this program, then the UN would send them out to wherever they are needed. This could help limit human trafficking as these police are allowed to work in any country meaning that they could help the individual country in whatever they may need done. As for human trafficking on the country level. Countries could host meetings teaching people how to spot human trafficking and how to stop it. This would be very helpful as it will not only inform the people on this topic but also teach them what to do in case it happens. Local places in high human trafficking areas could also post signs informing people about what to do in case of being human trafficked. Most of the time, human traffickers are willing to give back the person for a certain sum of money. One organization that the United Nations could take in to help families get children back from human trafficking is The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s Team HOPE (Team). This organization will help get children back to their families. All these resources would be very helpful for stopping the industry of human trafficking. 

Oxford languages- English. Oxford Languages. (n.d.). https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/ 

Philipp, J. (2024, June 6). The road to eliminate human trafficking in Morocco. The Borgen Project. https://borgenproject.org/human-trafficking-in-morocco/ 

Team hope. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. (n.d.). https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/support/teamhope#:~:text=The%20National%20Center%20for%20Missing,abduction%2C%20or%20other%20missing%20cases. 

Training helps civil society combat human trafficking in Morocco. International Organization for Migration. (n.d.). https://www.iom.int/news/training-helps-civil-society-combat-human-trafficking-morocco 

United Nations. (n.d.). Trafficking in persons – united nations and the rule of law. United Nations. https://www.un.org/ruleoflaw/thematic-areas/transnational-threats/trafficking-in-persons/#:~:text=The%20UN%20system%20offers%20practical,with%20resources%20to%20implement%20them. 

U.S. Department of State. (n.d.). U.S. Department of State. https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-trafficking-in-persons-report/morocco/ 

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Belgium
Delegate Name: Izabella Smeak

Human Trafficking is a worldwide issue with women and children often being the main targets. This modern equivalent of slavery results in exploitation, often labor, sexual exploitation, or organ trafficking. Previously, the UN has implemented the Protocol to Prevent (commonly known as the Palermo Protocol). This protocol focuses on the prevention of human trafficking, the prosecution of offenders, and the protection of victims. Despite this and other protocols and plans, human trafficking is still on the rise. With the expansion of technology, the internet, and the dark web, traffickers have found more ways to lure and trap victims. Social media has taken off and used to trap victims with false promises. Another big factor in explaining the rise in human trafficking is migration. Refugees and undocumented migrants will be more at risk and will often receive less assistance.
In Belgium, human trafficking is a persistent issue, especially as it is located in the middle of Europe. Although strict laws and policies have been put into place, human trafficking is still a big issue. Belgium already works closely with the European Union and the United Nations to initiate better communication and collaboration. Belgium has criminalized human trafficking in all forms and has taken a multidisciplinary approach with the use of police, prosecutors, immigration services, and victim shelters. Belgium uses Myria, their national rapporteur, to deal with trafficking. With all the information put together and transparency on the state of things, the effectiveness of anti-trafficking increases. Belgium offers victim care and shelters as well as psychological support and reintegration. In 2019, Belgium became a signatory to the UN’s Blue Heart Campaign which focuses on raising awareness and highlighting the issues of human trafficking.
The Palermo Protocol’s framework has been a beneficial step in preventing human trafficking but other countries, especially those that share borders with Belgium, would be great allies in fighting human trafficking. Partnerships will help to bring traffickers to justice on a global scale. Enforcing and adding to protocols and campaigns that have already been implemented would assist in the fight for anti-trafficking. Since online exploitation has been such a big issue, especially in recent years, addressing it is a crucial step in protecting past and potential victims.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Pakistan
Delegate Name: Nicklas Geraci

Committee: Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee
Topic: Human Trafficking
Country: Islamic Republic of Pakistan
School: Portage Central High School

Human trafficking is a genuine problem today as it leads to unwellness and can cause real harm to those who should not be affected. Human trafficking has been a problem for quite a long time but is becoming more of an issue by the day due to the increase in technology that allows people to go missing a lot easier.
Pakistan has taken measures to prosecute against, protect against, and prevent human trafficking. Various Pakistani laws criminalize sex and labor trafficking and the 2018 PTPA, as amended, criminalized sex and labor trafficking and prescribed penalties of up to seven years imprisonment, a fine of up to one million Pakistani rupees, or both. The government reported identifying 35,309 trafficking victims in 2023, compared to 21,253 trafficking victims in 2021. These included 29,334 sex trafficking victims, 3,118 forced labor victims, and 2,857 victims of unspecified forms of trafficking. These victims counted out to 25,919 women, 6,199 men, and 3,187 children.
These victims did not deserve what happened to them, and there are many ways to counteract this. Nobody deserves to be taken into human trafficking, whether it be sex trafficking, labor trafficking, or something else. This is not something that should be happening regardless of anything so we must take action and work against it.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Sierra Leone
Delegate Name: Evan Gagliardo

Human trafficking is a problem people all over the world experience or are in danger of experiencing. Human trafficking is defined as the unlawful act of transporting or coercing people in order to benefit from their work or service, typically in the form of forced labor or sexual exploitation. In 2024 alone over 133,000 people have fallen victim to human trafficking. Children and women are especially targeted by human traffickers. The victims of human trafficking and their families are traumatized and often have PTSD if they ever are rescued/survive. Human trafficking is a violation of human rights and must be stopped so citizens don’t have to live in fear. It is important to stop human trafficking to decrease crime rates.
The United Nations have taken actions in the past such as the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, that took place in 2000, being the first action the UN has taken against the issue. It states that countries must recognize human trafficking as a crime, and brings in extra measures to retrieve victims of the crime. More recent actions taken include including ECOSOC Resolution 2021/25, Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT), A policy forum that improves coordination between UN agencies and other organizations to prevent and combat trafficking, Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons,A UN protocol that supplements the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, Sustainable Development Goals Include targets to eliminate forced labor, child labor, and all forms of violence against women and girls.
Given Sierra Leone’s liberal approach to human rights issues Sierra Leone has taken action on this issue in the past. One action Sierra Leone has taken is being one of the countries in agreement with the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. Sierra Leone has also increased training for police, prosecutors, and judges on investigating and prosecuting trafficking cases under the Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Act of 2022. Sierra Leone has also increased the punishment for human trafficking with a minimum of 25 years in prison. The final action Sierra Leone took was protecting victims by working with other countries to stop the smuggling of victims over borders.
Sierra Leone believes that the human trafficking crisis needs to be dealt with quickly and effectively. To address the issue Sierra Leone believes that we need to get to the root of the problem and prevent human trafficking from occurring in the first place by passing laws that make the punishment stricter to hopefully prevent the temptation. Stronger searches on borders between cities and countries to prevent the spread of victims and stronger moderation in the workforce to prevent child labor. The last thing Sierra Leone suggests is more awareness and education being spread especially at an early age.

Topic: 2024-Human Trafficking
Country: Ethiopia
Delegate Name: Finola Green

The delegation of Ethiopia is called to address the issue of human trafficking here at GLIMUN. According to The United Nations Human Rights: Office of the High Commissioner, “Human trafficking is generally understood to refer to the process through which individuals are placed or maintained in an exploitative situation for economic gain.” Human Trafficking is a worldwide crisis, not just in Ethiopia. All types of people are trafficked for different reasons, sexual exploitation, forced marriage, and forced labor. Exploiting those who are vulnerable to trafficking has been a successful, yet illegal, industry for years. But over the past decade, it has become a “major concern” (UNHR: OOTHC) This shift in importance shows the responsibility of the state to voice concern and demand change with policy. A policy could include treaties in this case, although this topic is a complicated issue.
In Ethiopia, our efforts focus on improving legislation, enforcement, and victim support, about human trafficking. Ethiopia, with support from the United Nations, enacted anti-trafficking legislation to strengthen its ability to combat human trafficking and smuggling. To ensure effective enforcement, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has provided training to Ethiopian legal professionals on investigative techniques and prosecution strategies. Relatively, there are ongoing conflict-related vulnerabilities that primarily affect women and children. Regions like Tigray, Amhara, and Afar have heightened risks of trafficking, with UN officials urging the need for urgent action with medical and psychological care for victims. The UNODC calling for “giving hope” to victims of human trafficking in 2015 shows the unimaginable hardships that people who have been trafficked face. These efforts highlight a commitment to combating trafficking through legal reforms, capacity-building, and victim-centered interventions while recognizing that challenges like limited resources and regional instability require continued attention and collaboration.
With every issue, the UN can aid in strengthening the process of efforts against trafficking. By promoting programs that address poverty and unemployment—key drivers of trafficking—the UN can reduce vulnerabilities that traffickers exploit, with efforts including members of the Ethiopian government. The UN can support Ethiopia in providing shelter, medical care, psychological support, and legal aid for trafficking survivors; along with skill and job training, preventing re-victimization. Also, adapting to evolving trafficking methods and trafficking may prevent further distortions. Overall, Ethiopia shows its support for victims of human trafficking, and we support policies that criminalize it.

Position papers for GLIMUN 2024 will appear above this line, with the newest being at the top.