Normative framework
Human trafficking is a serious crime and a violation of human rights that affects the lives of millions of people in all countries, whether they are countries of origin, transit, or destination.
To effectively combat this scourge, several international and regional organizations have established a normative framework. The primary international instrument against human trafficking is the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (Palermo Convention) and its protocols, specifically the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. Through this Protocol, the United Nations laid the groundwork for the fight against human trafficking. The Protocol was later adopted and further developed by the Council of Europe in its Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings. The European Union, in turn, established its legal framework in 2002 for combating human trafficking, expanding it in 2011 with Directive 2011/36/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council.
At the regional level, the League of Arab States and the African Union address the issue of human trafficking in their instruments related to the protection of human rights. They have also implemented various initiatives and projects to combat human trafficking within their territories. Finally, organizations such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) focus on the financial aspects of human trafficking.
