Combating Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is the third most profitable type of criminal activity in the world (after the illegal trade in drugs and weapons) and one of the most serious global challenges of our time.

About 25 million people become victims of human trafficking in the world every year, and the annual income that this illegal activity brings to criminals is estimated at 150 billion US dollars.

Combating human trafficking is one of the priorities of the Republic of Belarus in the international arena.

The Republic of Belarus is a party to all major international agreements related to the topic of combating human trafficking:

• The UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime of 15 November 2000 (adopted by resolution 55/25 of the UN General Assembly);

• Protocol to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children of 15 November 2000 (adopted by resolution 55/25 of the UN General Assembly).

At the UN 2005 Summit, the President of the Republic of Belarus proposed to intensify international efforts to combat human trafficking.

Since 2006, the international community has taken decisive action to strengthen joint anti-trafficking efforts, many of which were initiated by Belarus.

Within the framework of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly, the Republic of Belarus biennially initiates resolution “Improving the coordination of efforts against trafficking in persons”, which is accepted by consensus.

In 2023, at the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice 32nd session, the resolution «Taking action against trafficking in persons in business operations, public procurement and supply chains for goods and services» initiated by the delegation of Belarus was adopted by consensus.

The Republic of Belarus actively cooperates with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) on combating human trafficking, and coordinates the Group of Friends United against Human Trafficking, established in 2010.