In a world that often prides itself on human rights advancements, it is shocking that child slavery and human trafficking continue to thrive at alarming levels. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in her recent speech at the United Nations General Assembly, issued a strong appeal for the international community to intensify efforts to combat these heinous crimes.
This issue isn’t confined to developing nations; it is entrenched in global criminal networks, fueled by illegal immigration and the demand in black markets. Meloni emphasized the urgent need for united action to dismantle these networks, which treat human beings, especially children, as mere commodities.
«The United Nations must do more because these criminal organizations are recreating, in new forms, a type of slavery—the commodification of human beings—that this Assembly once played a key role in eradicating. We cannot go backward.»
The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that in 2021, around 49.6 million people were subjected to some form of modern slavery, with 12 million being children. These horrifying figures highlight the gravity of the issue, with 27.6 million people forced into labor and 22 million trapped in forced marriages, which are also recognized as modern slavery.
One of the most distressing aspects of this issue is the sexual exploitation of minors, with criminal networks continuing to profit from the suffering of the most vulnerable. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) estimates that human trafficking generates around $150 billion annually, making it the second most profitable illegal trade after drug trafficking. Children, in particular, are the most vulnerable, with reports suggesting that trafficked children generate $39 billion annually for these criminal networks.
Meloni underscored that illegal immigration is often exploited by human trafficking networks, allowing them to expand their reach. These networks not only prey on the desperation of migrants fleeing poverty and conflict but also capitalize on migration flows to fuel modern slavery.
«Our goal, in the face of tens of thousands of people embarking on dangerous journeys to enter Europe illegally, is to first ensure their right not to have to emigrate—to not be forced to uproot themselves simply because they have no other choice. This desperation is being exploited by increasingly powerful and far-reaching organizations of unscrupulous criminals.»
Last year, from this very platform, Meloni called for a global war against human traffickers, and she expressed satisfaction that her appeal did not fall on deaf ears. Agreements at the G7 level have been reached to create international coordination to dismantle these criminal networks, but much more remains to be done.
In Europe, the immigration crisis has been a major focus, and Meloni has highlighted the need for a strategic approach to combat human trafficking. This approach should not only focus on law enforcement but also on addressing the root causes of illegal migration through development initiatives in the countries of origin. Italy, often an entry point for migrants seeking to reach Europe, has become a key battleground in the fight against human trafficking.
Meloni pointed out that her government has forged strategic alliances with nine African nations to tackle the root causes of illegal immigration, promoting development projects that foster employment and stability in those regions. By doing so, Italy seeks not only to reduce the flow of migrants but also to dismantle human trafficking networks at their source.
In her speech, Meloni also drew parallels to Italy’s fight against the Mafia in the 1980s, when judges like Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino implemented the «follow the money» strategy to dismantle organized crime. This approach, which traced the financial flows that sustained the Mafia, can serve as a model in the fight against human trafficking networks today. The success of these strategies demonstrates that with international cooperation and innovative methods, even the most powerful criminal organizations can be dismantled.
Human trafficking is not limited to a particular region. Global networks connect Africa, Latin America, and Europe, underscoring the worldwide nature of this crisis. Trafficking organizations in Africa often collaborate with Latin American drug cartels, reinforcing the need for stronger international cooperation.
Child trafficking, in particular, is an extreme manifestation of the brutality of these networks, which abduct children to turn them into sexual slaves. Despite the efforts made so far, it is clear that the United Nations and other international organizations need to do more to combat modern slavery. Instead, as critics argue, these institutions often condone or indirectly assist those who benefit from these exploitative networks.
Meloni’s message at the UN was unequivocal: the UN must take a more active role in fighting criminal organizations that profit from human trafficking. International cooperation is essential, and a coordinated global effort is required to dismantle these networks.
“There is a red thread that links the organizations exploiting human trafficking in Africa with those managing drug trafficking in Latin America, and with those who kidnap children to turn them into sexual slaves for unscrupulous elites, robbing them of both their present and their future.”
Modern slavery, particularly the exploitation of children, poses a moral challenge to global society. We cannot turn a blind eye to the atrocities committed in the name of profit. While Meloni’s words are a call to action, the solutions are neither simple nor immediate. They require deep, long-lasting commitment from governments, international institutions, and civil society alike.
Only through collective action, driven by justice and human dignity, can we hope to eradicate child slavery and human trafficking. Inaction is no longer an option. The fight against human trafficking must be a top priority, and the time to act is now.
Joana Campos es abogada y editora con más de 10 años de experiencia en la gestión de proyectos de desarrollo internacional, enfocada en la sostenibilidad y el impacto social positivo. Actualmente dirige JC Editorial, donde ha coordinado la edición y distribución de libros de reconocidos autores internacionales y la logística de numerosas giras nacionales. Anteriormente, trabajó como abogada corporativa, especializándose en derecho penal y corporativo. Joana es licenciada en Derecho por la Universidad de Guadalajara.
Trending: October 12: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage as a Cultural Bridge for the United States and Beyond
Joana Campos is a lawyer and editor with over 10 years of experience in managing international development projects, focusing on sustainability and positive social impact. She currently leads JC Editorial, where she has coordinated the editing and distribution of books by renowned international authors and managed the logistics of numerous national tours. Previously, she worked as a corporate lawyer, specializing in criminal and corporate law. Joana holds a law degree from the University of Guadalajara.
Human trafficking is the TRUE epidemic in this world. The problem is that too many evil people occupy places of power and continue to enable it.
Amén
The UN is the WORST Human traffickers on the planet. Every country they go into, their troops bring out sex slaves.
The UN and NATO need to be DROPPED like Harris/Walz, straight into the toilet.
Darlin, the UN is the genisis of child predation and rape.
This is not going to go well from Kamala Harris. She has transported thousands across the border and is still doing it.
while this is definitely the type of thing the un was created for, it is far too busy chastising Israel and the US and promoting terrorism via hamas and iran.
well that fell on deaf ears
Bravo!!
Wonderful to hear a female national leader who can express c,ear and cogent thoughts, unlike the Kneepad Wonder and her word salads. Our’s is a national laughing stock.
¿No reduciría eso la oferta monetaria de los globalistas y los privaría de divertirse en un jacuzzi con niños pequeños?
So she was at the hub of the child slavery and human trafficking operation to tell them she was against child slavery and human trafficking.
Maybe we can start with Joe Biden and Kamala Harris’ complicit open border policies in the United States that has caused 325,000 children to go missing and to be trafficked here…
biden is the biggest trafficker
I liked her before she became PM, but now not so much. Like most politicians, she made promises about sending migrants to Africa.
Mateo Salvini should be PM.