The European Union urged states to step up prevention and prosecution of human trafficking, with a focus on children in situations of statelessness and migration, in a statement delivered on 22 June 2026 at the 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. The EU was responding to the final report of the Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, which highlighted that approximately one billion children experience some form of violence each year, with those in fragile and conflict-affected settings facing particularly acute risks.
The EU statement, read by a representative of the Delegation of the European Union to the UN in Geneva, reaffirmed the bloc's long-standing position that states — whether countries of origin, destination or transit — have a responsibility to take measures to prevent and fully eradicate trafficking in human beings. This includes ensuring accountability by countering impunity for all perpetrators and improving the situation of victims and survivors. The EU called on all states to prevent trafficking, protect victims, increase awareness among groups most at risk, and maintain a victim- and survivor-centered, gender-responsive and child-sensitive approach, while ensuring effective prosecution of perpetrators.
The statement also posed a question to the Special Rapporteur on how best to implement the survivor-centered, gender-responsive and child-sensitive approaches she had mentioned. The EU concluded by expressing gratitude for the Special Rapporteur's work and dedication to her mandate.
No prior coverage of this topic exists in the last 180 days, making this statement a standalone EU position on the issue. The statement does not announce new EU legislation or funding but reinforces existing commitments under EU anti-trafficking directives and the EU Strategy on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings (2021-2025). The EU's call for a survivor-centered approach aligns with its own legal framework, which emphasizes victim protection and support. The statement's impact is primarily diplomatic, signaling EU priorities to international partners and UN bodies. Stakeholders affected include national authorities of EU member states, who may face pressure to strengthen implementation of anti-trafficking measures; victims and survivors, who could benefit from increased awareness and protection; and criminal networks, who face continued EU calls for prosecution. The statement does not introduce new binding obligations but reinforces existing norms.