A meaningful partnership with the private sector is key to preventing and combating trafficking
L-R: ICAT co-chair 2023, Irina Todorova (IOM); Diane Schmitt (EU ATC); Yatta Dakowah (UNODC Liaison Office in Brussels); and Martin Fowke (UNODC Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Section) ©EU-ATC
On 18 July 2023, the Inter-Agency Coordination Group against Trafficking in Persons (ICAT) held its annual policy exchange with the European Union Anti-Trafficking Coordinator (EU ATC), Diane Schmitt.
This year, the policy exchange was attended by different departments from the European Commission – Directorate-General on Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME), Team for the Fight against Child Sexual Exploitation, and the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CNECT). The exchange focused on the role of the private sector in preventing and combating trafficking in persons, especially children, and spotlighted technology-facilitated human trafficking and online exploitation.
The European Commission and ICAT both recognize the vital role of the private sector in combating trafficking in persons – particularly where this crime is facilitated by information and communication technology and platforms. The need for a coordinated effort to prevent and combat human trafficking was emphasized throughout the discussion.
“Engaging with multidisciplinary partners, including the private sector, is one of ICAT’s long-term priorities, and this year, we are particularly looking into issues of corporate due diligence and the role of the financial sector,” said Irina Todorova from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), one of ICAT’s two co-chairs in 2023.
In view of the important role that the private sector plays in fighting trafficking in persons, the meeting called for a constructive engagement to ensure an effective partnership with the private sector.
Representatives of the European Commission presented the relevant legislative steps, including the ongoing revision of the EU Anti-Trafficking Directive, the Digital Services Act, the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, and a Regulation laying down rules to prevent and combat child sexual abuse – while acknowledging the pivotal role of the digital industry and financial sectors in addressing the risks of trafficking in human beings and exploitation.
Members of ICAT, in turn, underscored the responsibilities of States in preventing and combating human trafficking , including appropriate regulation, in a meaningful partnership with the private sector, and presented published and forthcoming research and tools that can support the relevant efforts.
It was noted during the discussion that children make up at least one in three internet users worldwide and that in 2022, approximately 59% of online child abuse material was hosted in Europe.
“Risks of harm to children in the digital environment are spreading rapidly, as well as technological solutions to tackle exploitation online. Prevention must be the priority,” said Tea Machaidze from the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children (OSRSG VAC), one of the two 2023 ICAT co-chairs adding that “States must ensure that businesses meet their responsibilities to protect children from child sexual exploitation and abuse online.” She further stressed that, in addition to enhancing legislation, promoting responsible and transparent conduct by companies, and strengthening accountability, there is a need to work constructively to identify and develop detection, removal, and blocking measures that are swift and effective. “All anti-trafficking efforts must be developed in safe, ethical, and meaningful cooperation with survivors,” added the ICAT co-chair.
“Constructive engagement with and by the private sector, including online companies, is crucial. Companies can help to combat trafficking in human beings with awareness raising, due diligence, responsible conduct which help to prevent, detect and stop the crime,” Diane Schmitt underlined in her concluding remarks.
“The European Commission is doing so through the EU Internet Forum. The online dimension does not stop at borders and cooperation with all Stakeholders and common priorities are key”, Diane Schmitt underlined in her remarks.
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Background
ICAT and the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator have met since 2019 to exchange regularly on human trafficking policy and effective response measures. Similar to the last meeting in 2022, this year’s meeting, was enriched by the participation of different units and departments within the European Commission, ensuring an interdisciplinary and holistic exchange.
In 2023, ICAT is co-chaired by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children (OSRSG-VAC). The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is the permanent coordinator of the Group.
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Key ICAT publications on:
Issue Brief on Preventing Trafficking in Persons: The role of Public Procurement (2021)
Issue Brief on Human Trafficking and Technology: Trends, Challenges, and Opportunities, and addressed the role of technology in perpetuating and/or preventing and combating trafficking (2019)
Two joint statements during the World Day against Trafficking in Persons in 2019 and 2022 on Human Trafficking and Technology.
