La Strada Documentation Center

Abuse of a Position of Vulnerability and other "Means" Within the Definition of Trafficking in Persons

Document number
2940
Date
2012
Title
Abuse of a Position of Vulnerability and other "Means" Within the Definition of Trafficking in Persons
Author/publisher
UNODC
Availability
View/save PDF version of this document
Document type(s)
Guidelines/Recommendations, International Law, Research/Study/Analysis,
Keywords
human trafficking, smuggling, human rights, UNODC, Palermo Protocol, position of vulnerability
Summary
The purpose of this issue paper is to clarify the key concept of abuse of a position of vulnerability as a means of the crime of trafficking in persons in the definition contained in Article 3 of the Trafficking in Persons Protocol. Drawing on interviews with practitioners from 12 States (Canada, Belgium, Brazil, Egypt, India, Mexico, Netherlands (the), Nigeria, Republic of Moldova (the), Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (the), and United States of America (the)), and finalized with input received during an expert group meeting, two products were developed, the issue paper and a corresponding Guidance Note that aims to assist criminal justice officers in penal proceedings.
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