The European Union has expressed regret that the final version of a resolution on countering trafficking in persons for the purpose of forced criminality, adopted at the 35th session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) on 5 June 2026, does not include references to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or a gender-responsive approach. In a statement delivered on behalf of the EU and its Member States, the EU reaffirmed its commitment to a comprehensive, human rights-based, gender-responsive and child-sensitive approach to combating trafficking, in line with the UNTOC Protocol. The EU also voiced regret over the co-sponsorship of Belarus, citing the country's violations of international law through its involvement in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and its instrumentalization of migration.
The resolution was sponsored by Kazakhstan and co-sponsored by Belarus. The EU statement, delivered at the end of the session, welcomed the consensus on the resolution and strongly condemned trafficking in persons for forced criminality as a grave violation of human rights. However, the EU noted that the absence of SDG references and a gender perspective is a significant omission, as gender inequality and discrimination are root causes that increase vulnerability to trafficking, and women and girls are disproportionately affected. The EU did not block consensus but stressed its determination to continue supporting the SDGs and a gender-responsive approach.
The EU highlighted its support for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) through substantial funding, policy cooperation, and capacity-building programmes, including initiatives such as PACTS and GLO-ACT. These programmes aim to strengthen legislation, victim identification, international cooperation, and prosecutorial capacities, while promoting a victim-centred and rights-based approach that treats trafficked persons exploited in criminal activities as victims rather than offenders.
The statement also took issue with Belarus's co-sponsorship, asserting that while the EU supports the objective and substance of the resolution, it will oppose any self-proclaimed leadership by Belarus on actions against trafficking in persons. The EU thanked the Chair and the Secretariat for their work in bringing the session to a successful outcome.
The resolution's adoption without gender and SDG references may weaken the framework for addressing root causes of trafficking, particularly affecting women and girls who are disproportionately victimized. EU-funded programmes like PACTS and GLO-ACT will continue to promote a gender-responsive approach, potentially creating a divergence between EU-funded initiatives and the resolution's framework. The EU's criticism of Belarus may strain cooperation on trafficking issues, but the EU's continued funding and capacity-building support for UNODC and partner countries will likely maintain momentum in combating trafficking for forced criminality. The resolution itself, while lacking some elements, still provides a basis for international cooperation and victim protection.