Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children

United Nations

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July 20, 2026

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The Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children is a United Nations treaty that provides a common definition for human trafficking and calls for countries to enact laws against it, assist victims, and cooperate internationally. Human trafficking is a global issue involving the illegal transport of individuals for labor, sexual exploitation, or other activities that benefit traffickers financially. It is considered a form of modern-day slavery.1

The UN categorizes human trafficking into three types: sex trafficking, labor trafficking, and organ removal. Sex trafficking specifically involves using force, fraud, or coercion to make victims engage in commercial sex for the trafficker's profit. While often international, it does not always require cross-border movement. Women and children are disproportionately affected by sex trafficking.12

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…2000 the UN established the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, which provided a commonly accepted working definition of human trafficking and called upon countries to promulgate laws to combat the practice, to assist victims, and to promote coordination and cooperation between countries.
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…2000 the UN established the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, which provided a commonly accepted working definition of human trafficking and called upon countries to promulgate laws to combat the practice, to assist victims, and to promote coordination and cooperation between countries.
Read More