Terre des Hommes draws the attention of the United Nations to the human rights of trafficked children

Assuming that mobility per se increases children’s vulnerability, anti-trafficking measures, such as intercepting migrant children, can have a negative impact on their human rights. It is not only mobility in itself which increases vulnerability; other factors, such as forced mobility or absence of protection (services and actors), are among the numerous elements that make children more susceptible to abuse or exploitation. From a human rights perspective, states and anti-trafficking agencies should look at other, less intrusive kinds of intervention that could still ensure protection for the child.

On 2nd June a panel discussion, “Giving Voice to the Victims of Human Trafficking”, took place at the UN Human Rights Council. Five victims gave moving and vivid testimonies about their personal experiences as persons trafficked for sexual purposes or labour exploitation. Terre des Hommes took the floor on this unique occasion of dialogue to highlight the case of thousands of trafficked children all around the world. Recognizing the progress which has been made since TDH started its campaign to stop child trafficking in 2001, notably states admitting child trafficking as an offence punishable under national legislation, it also pointed out that weaknesses remain, especially in the areas of prevention, intervention and (re)integration of trafficked children.

For TDH, the child is the main actor in the process of his/her (re)integration. Programs and interventions ignoring personal experience and the will of the trafficked child risk being ineffective, as they are based more on assumptions and stereotypes than facts. A durable social reintegration can only be reached when the child is consulted about how to serve his/her best interest. TDH regretfully notes that the voice of the child is often ignored in this process, especially when deciding on a durable solution for a child who has been trafficked across borders.

The UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, Ms Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, pointed out that trafficking in persons remains one of the fastest growing criminal activities in the world, and in order to combat it, better cooperation among countries of origin, transit and destination is required. In addition to the efforts made by international organizations to fight trafficking, a better contribution by regional and sub-regional mechanisms is the key to providing a response that is both multilateral and sufficiently close to countries’ realities and specificities within a certain region. Based on the Palermo Protocol and the Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and Human Trafficking, the human rights-based approach puts the victims at the centre of all efforts to prevent and combat trafficking, and to protect, assist and provide redress to victims.