Overview

Treaties, legal frameworks, case law, and enforcement resources.

This page brings together the main legal and enforcement-oriented resources used in anti-trafficking work, including international frameworks, case databases, prosecution material, and compliance tools.

Find datasets, dashboards and directories on the resources page.

Core International Frameworks

Core legal instruments on trafficking and state obligations.

Treaty Framework

UN Palermo Protocol

The core international instrument defining trafficking in persons and setting prevention, prosecution, and protection expectations.

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Labour Law

ILO Forced Labour Conventions

Convention No. 29, its 2014 Protocol, and Convention No. 105 form the legal backbone for forced labour and labour-trafficking work.

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Child Protection

Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children

The Optional Protocol addresses the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography within the international child-protection framework.

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Case Law & Legal Databases

These resources help when you need legal examples, judicial reasoning, prosecution patterns, or country law references.

Cases

UNODC Case Law Database

A searchable database of trafficking cases from national courts, with summaries, charges, legal reasoning, and outcomes.

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Laws & Commentary

UNODC SHERLOC Legislation Database

Search national trafficking laws by country and topic, alongside case-law examples.

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Prosecution Analysis

Human Trafficking Institute

A prosecution-focused organization that publishes the Federal Human Trafficking Report and offers training-oriented material.

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Enforcement, Practice & Compliance

This section covers legal-response infrastructure beyond the treaty text itself.

Enforcement

INTERPOL Human Trafficking Program

Supports international police coordination, secure communications, and investigative cooperation on trafficking and migrant smuggling.

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Training & Legal Tools

OSCE Anti-Trafficking Resources

A library of handbooks, training resources, and legal tools related to anti-trafficking practice and policy.

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Compliance

Responsible Sourcing Tool

Provides risk maps, due-diligence guidance, and compliance checklists related to trafficking and forced labour in supply chains.

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Regional law & supply-chain accountability

Selected primary laws and official enforcement resources across jurisdictions.

European Union · Transposition deadline 15 July 2026

Revised Anti-Trafficking Directive (EU) 2024/1712

Amends Directive 2011/36/EU. Consult EUR-Lex national transposition information to check each country’s implementing measures.

European Union · Applies from 14 December 2027

Forced Labour Regulation (EU) 2024/3015

Prohibits products made with forced labour on the Union market. Some preparatory provisions already apply; the product prohibition’s application date is in 2027.

United States · Import enforcement

CBP forced labour resources

Official guidance on forced-labour import restrictions, enforcement and the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.

United Kingdom · Primary law

Modern Slavery Act 2015

Read the updated legislation, amendments and outstanding changes, including section 54 on transparency in supply chains.

Canada · Primary law

Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act

Official consolidated statute setting out reporting obligations and enforcement provisions.

Australia · Primary law

Modern Slavery Act 2018

Federal Register of Legislation entry with current text, compilation history and supporting material.

ASEAN · 2025 practical guidance

International legal cooperation compendium

Regional legal frameworks, mutual assistance and practical barriers in trafficking investigations and prosecutions.

Victim protection · Regional guidance

ASEAN non-punishment guideline

Guidance on protecting victims from punishment for unlawful acts they were compelled to commit.