Latest modern slavery fight updates - FreedomUnited.org

UN Develops Guide for Cabin Crews to Spot Trafficking

  • Published on
    January 4, 2018
  • News Source Image
  • Category:
    Child Slavery, Domestic Slavery, Forced Labor, Human Trafficking, Law & Policy, Prevention
Hero Banner

The United Nations’ human rights office and civil aviation agency are putting the final touches on new guidelines that could help airline cabin crews spot and report human trafficking.

Trafficking involves the recruitment, transfer, harbouring, or receiving of victims — and often this involves the transportation industry, including air travel.

The UN News Centre explains that the guidelines follow the “do no harm” principle:

With all this in mind, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is working with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to develop guidelines for airlines operators to train cabin crews in identifying and reporting trafficked individuals.

“Cabin crew members are in a unique situation where they can observe passengers over a certain period of time, allowing them to use their observation skills to identify a potential victim of trafficking,” the document reads.

“[The indicators] can be used when [cabin crew] crew are trying to identify potential victims or persons accompanying them.” They should observe for a period of time and collect information [while following the principle of] ‘do no harm’ – ensuring that a potential victim is not further jeopardized and ensuring their own safety and that of other passengers,” said Youla Haddadin, Advisor on Trafficking in Persons with OHCHR.

A few of the indicators for cabin crew on how to identify potential victims include when a passenger is not in control of their identity documents or has false identity documents. Furthermore, victims may not be aware of their final destination or may be unable to speak for themselves.

Haddadin clarified that cabin crew are not law enforcement, but if they feel a response is warranted they should alert the pilot, who will then alert the ground crew.

The UN says the guidelines will be released “very soon,” though some airlines have already developed their own training modules on human trafficking for employees.

Subscribe

Freedom United is interested in hearing from our community and welcomes relevant, informed comments, advice, and insights that advance the conversation around our campaigns and advocacy. We value inclusivity and respect within our community. To be approved, your comments should be civil.

stop icon A few things we do not tolerate: comments that promote discrimination, prejudice, racism, or xenophobia, as well as personal attacks or profanity. We screen submissions in order to create a space where the entire Freedom United community feels safe to express and exchange thoughtful opinions.

Notify of
guest
1 Comment
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
S. Theresa Nagle
S. Theresa Nagle
7 years ago

This is good news. I live in Canada and it is a problem here also.
I belong to a Stop Human Trafficking Committee here.
I hope you have great success.

This week

Escaping the “human egg farm”: three women escape a shocking human trafficking ring

Three Thai women have escaped a horrific human trafficking ring being referred to as a “human egg farm” in Georgia. Their testimonies reveal that in this horrific operation, women are held captive, injected with hormones, and their eggs are forcibly extracted for black market in-vitro fertilization (IVF) sales. Their freedom was prompted by an NGO who had been tipped off to this operation from a survivor who had been released and returned to Thailand

| Tuesday February 11, 2025

Read more