On July 22, 2024, Ambassador Veuthey, Associate Professor of Public International Law at Webster University’s Geneva Campus, gave an in-depth presentation on the critical link between climate change and human trafficking. This complex, often overlooked relationship reveals how environmental degradation and climate-related disasters significantly increase the vulnerability of already vulnerable populations, making them prime targets for human traffickers.
In his presentation, Michel Veuthey explained how climate change is exacerbating the vulnerabilities of human trafficking. Natural disasters, such as Cyclone Amphan in Bangladesh in 2020, have shown a direct correlation between environmental disasters and an increase in human trafficking incidents. Displacement, loss of livelihoods, and the resulting socio-economic instability create fertile ground for traffickers to exploit desperate individuals. The presentation highlighted similar patterns in regions such as West Africa and the Sahel, where severe drought and conflict, exacerbated by climate change, are driving migration and increasing the risk of trafficking.
To address these challenges, Ambassador Veuthey called for the comprehensive use of international legal instruments against human trafficking. He cited a range of legal frameworks, including human rights law, international humanitarian law, labor law, and specific anti-trafficking conventions, as essential tools in this fight. Notable instruments include the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Palermo Protocol. He stressed that States must apply and respect these laws, prioritizing the protection of human life and dignity.
Ambassador Veuthey also emphasized the importance of integrated and multifaceted approaches to combating human trafficking in the context of climate change. This includes preventive measures such as strengthening community resilience, promoting economic empowerment, and enhancing disaster risk reduction strategies. Examples of successful interventions include community programs in the Philippines that focus on disaster preparedness and economic support, effectively reducing vulnerability to trafficking.
International cooperation and collaboration were also highlighted as critical components in addressing the twin threats of climate change and human trafficking. Michel Veuthey mentioned initiatives such as the Nansen Initiative, which focuses on protecting people displaced across borders by climate disasters, and the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) strategies that link migration, environment, and climate change. These initiatives promote comprehensive regional approaches and advocate for integrating climate resilience into anti-trafficking efforts.
Michel Veuthey concluded his presentation with a call for urgent global, regional, and local action. He emphasized the need to strengthen legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms, promote multi- stakeholder cooperation, and raise awareness of the intersection between climate change and human trafficking. Ensuring protection and support for vulnerable populations is paramount, as is promoting research and data collection to inform policies and interventions.
In conclusion, Ambassador Veuthey’s presentation shed light on the complex and pressing issue of the nexus between climate change and human trafficking. He underscored the need to protect vulnerable populations from combined environmental and human exploitation threats by advocating for robust legal frameworks, integrated strategies, and international cooperation.
HERE you can have access to the slides of the presentation.
