Due to reasons such as wars, conflicts, global crises, economic inadequacies and climate change, many people are forced to migrate within their country or across borders. Affected by displacement, economic inequalities and inefficiencies, millions of people become vulnerable to exploitation by human traffickers. People who do not have legal status, the poor, those who are below the minimum standarts in access to education, health and work; people who encounter mobbing, discrimination, harassment, violence and become more vulnerable often become targets of human traffickers.
Human trafficking; is an organized crime that ignores human dignity and is the most grave violation of human rights. Every year, thousands of people, especially women and children, become victims of human traffickers in their own countries or in places where they have to migrate. Human trafficking can be seen in almost every part of the world. In this framework, all states have a responsibility to effectively combat human trafficking. The principles of combating human trafficking are regulated by two main international conventions. The first one is the Palermo Protocol, "Protocol to the Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, Supplementing the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime", which was accepted by the United Nations in 2000 and to which our country became a party in 2003. The second is the Council of Europe Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings, which was signed by Türkiye on March 9, 2009, and was adopted by the Turkish Grand National Assembly on January 30, 2016.
According to the 2022 Global Trafficking in Persons Report published by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, more than 450,000 victims of trafficking and 300,000 suspects/criminals were identified worldwide between 2003 and 2021. According to the statistical data announced by the Presidency of Migration Management in our country, the number of victims of human trafficking detected between 2005 and 2021 was 3,108. The number of victims identified in 2022 is 354.
With the decision taken by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013, 30 July was declared as the World Day Against Trafficking in Human Beings. On this occasion, an annual meeting will be held to raise awareness about the fight against human trafficking, to prevent more people from being victimized, to strengthen the protection of victims of human trafficking, to draw attention to effective investigation and prosecution in the fight against human trafficking, and to increase the cooperation of international and non-governmental organizations and public institutions and organizations regarding the fight. A number of activities are carried out. A theme is chosen by the United Nations every year in this context, and the theme for 2023 is “Reach all victims of human trafficking, do not leave anyone behind.”
Our Institution, whose main mission is to ensure the right of people to be treated equally on the basis of human dignity to prevent discrimination in the enjoyment of legally recognized rights and freedoms, as the National Rapporteur Institution for the Fight Against Human Trafficking, prevents human trafficking, which is one of the most serious human rights violations, and cooperates in the fight against human trafficking.
Emphasizing the valuable contribution efforts to strengthen human dignity, protect victims of human trafficking, and strengthen resilience against socio-economic and cultural problems that lead to exploitation, we celebrate the 30th of July, World Day Against Trafficking in Human Beings, with the wish for a world where human trafficking will end.
It is announced to the public with respect.