NCJ Number
239949
Date Published
July 2012
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This report analyzes responses received from United Nations member states that made a commitment to focus on good practices designed to address, pursuant to the United Nations Trafficking in Persons Protocol, the demand for labor, services, or goods that foster the exploitation of others.
Abstract
Member states reported on legislative measures taken to criminalize trafficking in persons in line with the Trafficking in Persons Protocol. Some states highlighted the extraterritorial feature of their legislation, so as to combat trafficking in persons abroad, particularly in the context of child-sex tourism. Several states provided information on the labor laws and codes that support the fight against trafficking in persons for forced labor. Some mentioned legislation that regulates working conditions, especially for foreign workers. A few states addressed the issue of demand by adopting national legislation that prohibits the advertisement of sexual services and criminalizing the purchase of sexual services. Some states have sought nation-wide cooperation and coordination. Some states reported that one good method of ensuring the effectiveness of strategies, policies, or national plans for countering trafficking in persons is to establish the office of a national rapporteur or other relevant mechanism on trafficking in persons. This would ensure a focus on monitoring and assessing implementation, and recommendations for improvement. Although states have taken steps to continue supporting the implementation of the Trafficking in Persons Protocol, there are few examples of concrete initiatives for discouraging demand compared with those intended to address supply. Most states encourage national cooperation and coordination, as well as regional and international cooperation.