Through its Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants Case Law Databases, UNODC analyses and disseminates qualitative information regarding the prosecution of both trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling cases as well as the effective implementation of the relevant Protocols, with the ultimate goal of making available knowledge that will contribute to increasing the number of prosecutions and convictions for these crimes globally.
The databases are practitioners’ tools for prosecutors; judges; and for investigators; a monitoring tool for government policy-makers; an awareness-raising tool for the public and media; as well as an information tool for researchers. The Databases serve as a basic global tool for an array of actors, creating a conduit for information and a common language. They also aim to promote international awareness of the common challenges, good practices, landmark cases and the use of international cooperation instruments in the smuggling of migrants and trafficking in persons’ cases, in order to inform the work of lawmakers, judges, prosecutors and to promote the uniform interpretation and application of the international instruments designed to tackle transnational crimes. The Databases also aim to broaden the knowledge of these crimes, especially the realities faced by ordinary people victimized by those who exploit them; put their life at risk and the tools available to contrast the criminals while protecting the migrants and the victims of trafficking.
Human Trafficking Case Law Database: https://www.unodc.org/cld/en/v3/htms/index.html
Smuggling of Migrants Case Law Database: https://www.unodc.org/cld/v3/sherloc/cldb/index.html?lng=en
Limited resources, funding, and technical skills can all affect the robustness of emergency and post-crisis responses. Understanding and assessing these limitations is a critical first step towards overcoming them. Stakeholders’ investment in their own capacity to improve emergency response and post-crisis recovery for migrants is critical.
Capacity building may relate to such varied areas as consular services, training for responders, resource allocation, funding mechanisms, insurance schemes, relief goods and services, border and migration management, and relocation and evacuation. Many of these areas are relevant for both the emergency and post-crisis phases. Stakeholders should also consider addressing potential reintegration challenges for migrants, their families, and communities, facilitating re-employment, income generation, and safe remigration, and supporting migrants to access outstanding wages, assets, and property left in host States.
States, private sector actors, international organizations, and civil society should assist one another to build and improve their capacity to respond. Undertaking advocacy, monitoring and evaluations, raising awareness, conducting training, sharing information, building research and knowledge, and supporting and learning from each other all help to improve collective efforts to protect migrants.
Sample Practices
Training and capacity building of stakeholders, such as on effective ways to access migrants and identify vulnerability and needs.
Dedicated funding to protect migrants, including budget lines, loans, and funding platforms.
Referral mechanisms that map rosters of experts who can address diverse needs of different migrants.
Peer-to-peer exchanges for capacity building and learning on tackling challenges associated with protecting migrants.
Training for consular officials, such as on collecting information on citizens and crisis management, including evacuation.
Monitoring and evaluation of crisis responses that includes analysis of responses towards migrants.