The Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking
Provided within the framework of the Global Initiative to Fight Trafficking (UN.GIFT) was the organisation of an event to rally support and political will behind the Initiative. The Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking, which brought together representatives from 116 countries, took place from 13 to 15 February 2008.
The objectives of the Forum were to raise awareness on all forms and dimensions of trafficking, facilitate cooperation, and forge new partnerships among participants. In taking stock of lessons learned and progress achieved, the Forum set the direction for future actions and innovative ways to counter human trafficking.
Awareness raising
Despite increasing global attention and responses, trafficking is an ongoing tragic reality. A better understanding of its nature, underlying conditions, and the profiles of traffickers and victims is critical to taking the right steps to tackling it.
To this end, panel sessions and workshops focused on the push and pull factors that make individuals vulnerable to trafficking, as well as the impact that trafficking has on individuals, their communities and the economies of origin and destination countries as well as the action required by all stakeholders to fight human trafficking.
Policy makers and celebrities together appealed to recognise the scale and prevalence of the problem, and for coordinated action to fight it. Side events and special exhibits including a photo exhibition, art installation and film forum depicted the extreme vulnerability and suffering experienced by victims of trafficking.
Forging new partnerships and facilitating cooperation
UN.GIFT is guided by the principles of increasing knowledge and awareness on human trafficking; promoting effective rights-based responses; building capacity of state and non-state actors; and fostering partnerships for joint action against human trafficking.
The presence of state and non-state actors led to tangible alliance-building. Discussions with the private sector looked at the role the latter has in ensuring that supply chain practices align with international standards. With the media, discussions evolved around the ways and means through which it can contribute to combating trafficking.
Emphasising the importance of national legislation, parliamentarians from around the world discussed a draft handbook which will be presented at the next Inter-Parliamentary Union Forum in April 2008 to share knowledge on what parliaments can do to combat trafficking. A group of women political and business figures, campaigners and entertainers, launched the Women Leaders' Council with a set of specific anti-trafficking activities.
Future actions and recommendations
Recognising that awareness-raising underpins all actions, some common themes emerged at the Forum:
To date, over 110 States have ratified the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (76 have yet to do so). In many countries, however, necessary laws are not in place or are not properly enforced. Technical capacity is also lacking. Member States must honour their commitments and ensure means and proper mechanisms are in place to protect the vulnerable, prosecute criminals and ultimately prevent trafficking.
More research and knowledge is needed to better inform the design of adequate responses and policies. Baseline information must be collected against which monitoring and evaluation mechanisms can be developed and implemented. To this end, increased cooperation and intelligence sharing between state and non-state actors, at national and international level, is critical. UN.GIFT is seen as a critical facilitator in expanding alliances.
Labour market actors - including employers' organizations, trade unions and businesses - must become more active in ensuring labour rights and labour protections to prevent forced labour and address it where it already exists.
Finally, while the root causes of human trafficking must be confronted, increased attention must go to reducing the demand for trafficked persons in destinations countries.
Further Information
Forum outcome paper (PDF)