Human Rights Council – 47th Session

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children

Joint statement

28 June 2021

I have the honour of delivering this statement on behalf of a group of countries, including my own, Australia. We thank the Special Rapporteur for her important work.

Many of our Foreign Ministers met on 28 April to discuss how the wide economic impact of COVID-19 is exacerbating situations of vulnerability, particularly for women and children.

Human trafficking is a serious human rights violation, and a crime of exploitation.

During the pandemic, the increased use of technology is further enabling exploitation, while victims are harder to reach with support services.

Governments across countries of origin, transit and destination must work together and with civil society and business to prevent and prosecute these crimes and support survivors.

A victim centred approach is vital and we urge all governments to support the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for Victims of Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children.

Recognising the role the financial sector can play, and of the Financial Sector Commission's Blueprint for Mobilizing Finance against Slavery and Trafficking.

We ask the Special Rapporteur how States can best work with civil society and business to prevent human trafficking?

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