26th Conference of the Alliance against Trafficking in Persons

Participation

Online: Open to all stakeholders via a dedicated Zoom link upon registration – Please register HERE.

In-person: By invitation only at the Hofburg in Vienna

Social Media: Follow discussions using #CTHB26 and #askOSCE on X. 
 

Trafficking for exploitation in criminal activities, commonly referred to as forced criminality, is a fast growing and underreported dimension of human trafficking. Based on data recorded across the OSCE region, victim detection figures of forced criminality rose from just over 1% of all identified victims in 2018 to 17% in 2024. Likewise, investigations increased from 10 investigated cases in 2015 to 192 cases in 2024, demonstrating a sharp upward trajectory that is outpacing current prosecution and protection responses.

NEW FORMS OF EXPLOITATION

Victims are forced into drug cultivation and distribution, theft, burglary, shoplifting, migrant smuggling, benefit fraud, violent crimes, and many other organized criminal activities. Traffickers exploit victims not only for profit but also as buffers to shield themselves from prosecution. 

A new dimension of vulnerability has also emerged: the deliberate targeting of individuals with specific technical skills and digital competencies to be coerced into scamming operations. This cyber-enabled financial crime, where digital technologies intersect with illicit financial activity, is becoming an increasingly relevant transnational threat facing the OSCE region. 

THE PROTECTION CHALLENGE

Persistent gaps remain in applying the non-punishment principle that would ensure victims aren't treated as criminals and prosecuted for crimes they were forced to commit.

Many victims are unable to disclose their experiences safely due to fear of being arrested and detained or directly controlled by criminals. Their guarded or resistant behavior is frequently misinterpreted as evidence of criminal intent rather than an indicator of exploitation. This mischaracterization creates a systemic failure: those most in need of protection are overlooked or punished, while the perpetrators continue to operate with impunity. Such an approach undermines the ability of States to disrupt organized crime and weakens broader community safety.

CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES

The conference aims to foster collective action by developing a shared understanding of the evolving nature of trafficking for the purpose of exploitation in criminal activities, promoting a whole-of-society approach, and showcasing promising practices, operational tools, and effective methodologies. By underscoring the urgency of closing this critical security and protection gap, the conference will address the broader security implications of forced criminality and seek to strengthen co-ordinated responses to disrupt organized crime and enhance community safety.

Key Focus Areas:

• Deepening understanding of the evolving nature of this complex crime
• Promoting early identification and protection of trafficked persons
• Advancing consistent applications of the non-punishment principle
• Strengthening strategies to ensure effective prosecutions of perpetrators

The Alliance 

The Alliance against Trafficking in Persons Conference is an annual gathering of key stakeholders from across the OSCE region aiming to raise the political profile of the fight against trafficking in human beings (THB) and discuss emerging topics and trends in this area. With participation from national authorities, as well as international and civil society organizations, the Alliance helps to co-ordinate and amplify the efforts of all stakeholders toward the common goal of preventing and combating human trafficking.