NEXT STEPS

 

If your government supported the REVIEW of UNTOC including engagement of civil society and publication of reports they MUST speak up and continue to argue their case against strong opposition from governments, primarily Russia. YOUR engagement with your government to remind them how important it is that an INCLUSIVE and EFFECTIVE review mechanism to UNTOC is developed is critical at this stage!

 

TAKE ACTION NOW!  calendar


Home
Victim Centered Mechanism

A victim-centered monitoring mechanism to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and its protocols, including the Human Trafficking Protocol (UNTOC), is urgently required. This will help assess the implementation of UNTOC, strengthening anti-trafficking efforts, bringing an end to trafficking and better protecting the rights of trafficked and migrant persons.

The Human Trafficking Protocol, which provides the international definition of trafficking in persons, was adopted in 2000. Millions of dollars have been spent and countless efforts have been made to end trafficking, however, people continue to be trafficked worldwide and gross human rights violations persist, bringing into question the effectiveness of this global effort.

In 2008, at the UNTOC 4th Conference of the Parties, national governments acknowledged that without an effective monitoring mechanism it was difficult to measure progress made in implementing UNTOC. An intergovernmental working group to discuss possible mechanisms to review UNTOC’s implementation was consequently established. Since this time, this working group has met twice, in September 2009 and January 2010; the discussion will reach a critical point at the UNTOC 5th Conference of States Parties (18 –22 October 2010), when States will decide whether or not to establish a monitoring mechanism and if so what form it should take.

Our network of more than 30 non-governmental organisations worldwide is lobbying states to support the establishment of a victim-centered monitoring mechanism. We have identified the following five features as key to any monitoring mechanism:

  1. An Independent Expert Monitoring Body
    Comprised of non-governmental experts, selected for their expertise on the areas covered by UNTOC.
  2. Integration of a Broad Evidence Base
    Evidence provided by current and former victims of crimes covered by UNTOC, their service providers and advocates have valuable knowledge about Convention implementation and impact, making them essential contributors to any monitoring process.
  3. Thematic Review including a Wide Range of Data Sources
    Data must be collected both on the extent to which states are implementing UNTOC and how effectively implementation is meeting the overall aims of the Convention.
  4. Comprehensive and Transparent Reporting and Follow-Up Mechanisms
    An effective follow-up mechanism must be developed to ensure that recommendations are met in a timely fashion.
  5. Assured Funding
    All aspects of the mechanism, including country visits, must be funded through the UN regular budget.

For more information on these five features go to the Victim-Centered Monitoring Mechanism Position Paper

Take action NOW!