UN Security Council Calls for Global Action Against Human Trafficking in Armed Conflict

The United Nations Security Council has issued a presidential statement condemning the widespread use of human trafficking in armed conflict, particularly by groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), and Boko Haram. The statement highlights the devastating impact of human trafficking on women and children, including increased vulnerability to sexual and gender-based violence. UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson emphasized that human trafficking is a modern-day form of slavery, affecting millions of people worldwide, with most victims being vulnerable women and children.

Key Takeaways:

• The Security Council has called on all UN Member States to do everything in their power to combat human trafficking, particularly in situations of armed conflict.
• The statement specifically mentions ISIL's trafficking of Yazidis, the LRA's violations in central Africa, and Boko Haram's use of women and children for sexual slavery and forced labor.
• UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson referred to human trafficking as a global industry that must be stopped.
• Millions of people are living as slaves or in slave-like conditions, with thousands of men and boys forcibly conscripted by the LRA.
• The Council statement called on Member States to fully implement relevant resolutions, improve the implementation of applicable legal obligations, and ratify the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.
• The statement emphasized the need to provide assistance to victims of human trafficking to regain their rights and dignity and reintegrate into society.

Statistics:

• There are more people displaced today than at any time since the Second World War.
• Millions of people are caught up in conflict, unable to flee, and are exposed to human rights violations, including trafficking.
• Thousands of men and boys have been forcibly conscripted by the LRA.
• The UN Trust Fund for the Victims of Trafficking in Persons is timely and crucial in providing assistance to victims.

Sources:

• Statement by the United Nations Security Council (no date)
• Remarks by UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson (no date)