HRC44 - NB8 statement - Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children

3 July 2020

Statement by Estonia on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries

Madame President,

The Nordic-Baltic countries highly appreciate the work the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, Ms Giammarinaro, has conducted during her six years of tenure. We thank her for her dedicated  efforts to ensure a human rights-based approach to combating trafficking in persons. We also thank the Special Rapporteur for her latest report in which she analyses protection gaps in the legal and policy framework to prevent and combat trafficking.

Human trafficking is a severe violation of human rights. We need a gender sensitive and human rights-based approach to prevent and combat this crime and protect the rights of victims.

The risks faced by vulnerable groups have become even more obvious during the ongoing pandemic. We are therefore grateful for the Special Rapporteur’s recent and insightful COVID-19 position paper regarding the impact of the pandemic on trafficked persons. We all need to enhance our efforts to protect those in vulnerable situations, especially women and children, from exploitation.

Madame Special Rapporteur,

Involving businesses and their suppliers in the fight against human trafficking and exploitation is key. In your report, you mention that you last year facilitated a platform for dialogue among multi-stakeholder initiatives and trade unions. What are the key takeaways from this dialogue?

I thank you.