Warsaw Human Dimension Conference Side Event - Human trafficking for exploitation in criminal activities: Understanding and addressing a major trend

A growing and alarming trend

In recent years, trafficking in human beings for the purpose of exploitation in criminal activities (forced criminality) has expanded significantly in both scale and scope, drawing increased attention from governments, civil society, and international organizations. According to the UN Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2024, identification of this form of trafficking rose sharply from 1 percent of total victims detected globally in 2016, to 6 percent in 2019 and 8 percent in 2022.A similar trend has been documented in the OSCE region, with 63 percent of participating States reporting cases of human trafficking for forced criminality under investigation and/or in the judicial process in 2020 versus 47 percent reporting such cases in 2016. This alarming trajectory reflects both heightened awareness and a troubling reality of its growing prevalence.

Understanding the drivers and vulnerabilities

Persistent global crises, such as armed conflicts and climate change, as well as social and deep-rooted economic inequalities continue to fuel conditions conducive to exploitation. Traffickers prey on the complex interplay of personal, social, and systemic vulnerabilities – especially those affecting adults and children from marginalized and displaced communities. Recruitment through deceptive online advertisements, systemic corruption, and lax enforcement of laws against criminals have been the key drivers in the increase and expansion of this form of exploitation to more grave crimes.

The challenge of misidentification

Victims of this form of trafficking are now often compelled to commit serious criminal acts such as fraud, money laundering, drug cultivation and distribution, smuggling of migrants, and violent acts. These individuals are frequently misidentified as offenders, which compounds their revictimization and perpetuates impunity, undermining overall anti-trafficking measures and efforts of States. Against this backdrop, effective application of the non-punishment principle remains a pressing concern, consistently underscored by the OSCE and its international partners.

Join this critical dialogue

This side event brings together diverse expertise and perspectives to discuss how to: 

✅ Strengthen identification of victims from offenders

✅ Implement the non-punishment principle effectively across jurisdictions

✅ Address systemic vulnerabilities that facilitate exploitation

✅ Enhance international co-operation and information sharing

✅ Develop comprehensive support systems for trafficking survivors

Lunch will be provided at 14:00.