A UN human rights expert on Monday called for new approaches [press release] to prevent trafficking among increasing numbers of people fleeing conflict. Maria Grazia Giammarinaro [official profile], the UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, released a full report [text, PDF] detailing the prevalence and forms of trafficking among people in areas of conflict. Giammarinaro’s report corroborates a recent study from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) [official website] that showed a large majority of migrants who reached Europe through North Africa had been victimized by some form of exploitation. Giammarinaro also referenced UNICEF [official website] data, stating that children are at high risk of trafficking due to the nature of conflict areas. Overall, Giammarinaro emphasized the need for safe and legal migration routes, effective intake of migrants, and banning detainment of children.

Human trafficking [JURIST op-ed] is one of the most controversial issues affecting the international community. Earlier this month the Egyptian Parliament voted to enact new legislation [JURIST report] aimed at combating the growing number of human traffickers along its coast. In September UNICEF released a report [JURIST report] showing millions of children have been driven from their homes due to violence and conflict, facing dangers such as malnourishment and dehydration, trafficking, kidnapping, rape and murder. In February UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed [JURIST report] that increased funding and international cooperation are needed to successfully combat human trafficking. With a vote of 14 in favor, the UN Security Council last October introduced [press release] a resolution to allow the EU to inspect and seize vehicles suspected of smuggling migrants. Authorized under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, the resolution permits certain nations to board ships in order to prevent human trafficking [JURIST report]. US Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced in 2015 that the Department of Justice will fund [JURIST report] a $44 million grant to fight human trafficking.