56th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls

Mr. President, 

My Delegation wishes to thank the Special Rapporteur for her report on “trafficking in persons, mixed migration and protection at sea”. It is a timely reminder of the obligations that apply to a variety of maritime actors to ensure effective prevention of trafficking at sea, as well as the protection of victims of such trafficking. 

The Holy See firmly holds that “human trafficking must […] be counted among the grave violations of human dignity”[1]. Those who risk their lives at sea, looking for welcome and for a better life, should not be confronted with exploitation and death instead.[2]

Trafficking in persons, on land and at sea, often goes unseen. It nonetheless creates deep scars in the victims, who frequently are women and children. We must not remain apathetic in the face of this tragic and global scourge. It is time to reject such a culture of indifference, which desensitizes us to these realities and effaces the humanity and inalienable dignity of those who are exploited. Persons living in extreme poverty are the most likely to fall into the trap of human trafficking and slavery; it is therefore our collective responsibility to help them find a safe place where they can rediscover peace of mind, soul and body, and flourish.

It is particularly regrettable that the current gaps in the protection of people on the move at sea are all too often the consequence of a lack of international cooperation and of an unwillingness to accept one’s responsibility at the local, national and international levels. In the face of the dire reality, we are called not to remain paralyzed, but to deploy all of our efforts in the battle to prevent trafficking and to affirm the God-given dignity of all the victims of such human rights violations.

The Holy See urges States to strive to make the roads and seas safer for migrants, refugees, and victims of trafficking. This could be done, inter alia, through criminalization of trafficking networks, indicating safer routes, expanding regular migration channels and promoting a common and co-responsible approach to governance of migration flows.[3] It is crucial to both prevent future exploitation and to provide assistance to victims. 

The human person must remain at the heart of this work, which includes the principles of welcoming, protecting, promoting and integrating people on the move, especially when they are victims of human rights violations.[4] In this regard, particular attention and protection should be given to women, children and young people who are forced to live far from their homeland and who are separated from their loved ones. 

As we are one human family, the Holy See urges States to consider this important issue according to the fundamental criterion of the safeguarding of human dignity.[5]

            Thank you, Mr. President.