Resources
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Key International Laws & Agreements
Palermo Convention and Protocol
In 2000 the United Nations adopted the Convention against Transnational Organized Crime, also called the Palermo Convention. This is a comprehensive international convention against transnational organized crime incorporating international laws to address trafficking in women and children, the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms and ammunition, and illegal trafficking in and transportation of migrants.
The purpose of the Convention is to promote cooperation to prevent and combat transnational organized crime more effectively. The Convention is supplemented by the Palermo Protocols:
- Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially women and children; and
- Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air.
Download a copy of the Palermo Convention [PDF]
Links to Guides to the Convention and Protocol
- Legislative Guide for the Implementation of United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime
(English PDF) - The Annotated Guide to the Complete UN Trafficking Protocol (International Human Rights Law Group) 2002
(English PDF) - Guide to the new UN Trafficking Protocol, Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, Supplementing the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (Coalition Against Trafficking in Women) 2001
(English PDF) - Legislative Guide for the Implementation of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, Supplementing the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime
(English PDF) - Recommended Principles and Guidelines on Human Rights and Human Trafficking: Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to the Economic and Social Council 2002
(English)
United States Laws & Reports
US Department Of State 10th Annual Report On Trafficking Of Humans.
Click to Download Report
I am pleased to celebrate and reflect upon the last decade of progress identifying and fighting the phenomenon of modern slavery. Ten years ago, the United Nations negotiated the international standards against trafficking in persons and the United States enacted the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Since then, the international community has witnessed tangible progress in the effort to end the scourge of trafficking in persons. More victims have been protected, more cases have been successfully prosecuted, and more instances of this human rights abuse have been prevented. Countries that once denied the existence of human trafficking now work to identify victims and help them overcome the trauma of modern slavery, as well as hold responsible those who enslave others.”
Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State
Link: www.state.gov/g/tip/
US Department of Justice
- Attorney General’s Annual Report to Congress and Assessment of U.S. Government Activities to Combat Trafficking in Persons Fiscal Year 2008
- Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA)
- Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2003
- Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005
- National Security Presidential Directive on Trafficking in Persons
- Attorney General’s Annual Report to Congress and Assessment of the U.S. Government Activities to Combat Trafficking in Persons Fiscal Year 2007
- State Department Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons
- Department of Health and Human Services Anti-Trafficking Program
- Department of Homeland Security Anti-Trafficking Program
State Reports & Resources
Click to Download Report
Minnesota’s Annual Report On Trafficking Of Humans
“Minnesota continues to be at the forefront in addressing the issue of human trafficking.”
This report contains twenty pages of valuable information on trafficking in Minnesota and efforts to help end its practice.
Hope & Rescue is based in Minnesota, therefore the state report is featured.
Link: 2010 Report
Links to State Reports & Other information. Note: most states do not have an official report, therefore other helpful links have been provided as a starting point to learn more, such as newspaper articles or an organization in that state.
