Today: 16 October 2025
25 January 2023
1 min read

Human trafficking moving deeper underground: UN

In addition to reducing opportunities for human traffickers to operate, the pandemic may have weakened law enforcement capacities to detect victims…reports Asian Lite News

For the first time in 20 years, the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in a decline in the number of detected human trafficking victims as there were fewer opportunities for traffickers to operate and some trafficking forms were less likely to be detected, a UN report has revealed.

The number of trafficking victims identified globally dropped by 11 per cent in 2020 from the previous year, driven by “fewer detections in low and medium-income countries”, according to the report published by the Vienna-based UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

In addition to reducing opportunities for human traffickers to operate, the pandemic may have weakened law enforcement capacities to detect victims, it said.

The report, based on data from 141 countries, also showed a drop in the number of cases of trafficking for sexual exploitation during the health crisis.

The pandemic-induced restrictions may have pushed such crimes into “more concealed and less safe locations”, it said.

The number of persons convicted of human trafficking globally also fell by 27 per cent in 2020 compared to 2019, with sharper decreases registered in South Asia, Central America, the Caribbean and South America.

UNODC Executive Director Ghada Waly said in a statement that the pandemic had “increased vulnerabilities to trafficking in persons, further undercutting capacities to rescue victims and bring criminals to justice”.

She called on the UN and the donor community to support national authorities, particularly those in developing countries, to respond to trafficking threats and to identify and protect victims.

ALSO READ: WHO issues urgent call for actions after cough syrup deaths

Previous Story

Turkey gets tough on Sweden, Finland over Quran burning

Next Story

Pondicherry University launches G20 presidency lecture series

Latest from -Top News

India wins unopposed seat on UNHRC

India last served on the HRC in 2024, completing a second consecutive term….reports Asian Lite News India has been elected unopposed to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) for the seventh time,

Relief Rolls In, Restrictions Remain in Gaza

Israeli official noted an Israeli statement saying it would limit the number of aid truckloads entering the Gaza Strip to 300 daily…reports Asian Lite News Relief operations in Gaza have intensified since

ā€˜A Day to Rejoice’

In its statement, British Friends of Israel saluted the courage and resilience of the hostages and expressed deep sorrow for those who did not survive captivity After 737 days of anguish, the

UK to Lead Gaza Rebuild

PM announces an additional £20 million aid package aimed at providing essential water, sanitation and hygiene services to tens of thousands of people Prime Minister Keir Starmer attended the signing ceremony of

UK to host summit on Gaza recovery plan

The three-day conference, beginning Monday afternoon, will take place at Wilton Park, the Foreign Office’s policy forum based in West Sussex The UK will host an international summit on the recovery and
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Bahrain offices to combat human trafficking

The office would function as a point of contact with