Convention against human trafficking in force today

The Council of Europe's Convention on Action Against Trafficking In Human Beings comes into force in Malta today.

The convention aims to prevent trafficking, protect the human rights of victims and prosecute traffickers. It applies to all victims of trafficking: Women, men and children; to all forms of exploitation including sexual exploitation, forced labour, servitude, and the removal of organs. It covers all forms of trafficking: national and transnational, related or not to organised crime.

The convention provides for the setting up of an independent monitoring body.

The Council of Europe will set up the Group Of Experts In Action Against Trafficking In Human Beings (Greta), formed by 10 to 15 experts, before next February 1.

According to the International Labour Organisation, up to 2.45 million people are victims of human trafficking every year.

The illicit profits of this trade amount to $33 billion annually, making it the third most profitable criminal activity after illegal drugs and arms trafficking.