Ziggy Ojiegbe

Human trafficking on a large scale would not be possible without corruption by border guards, public officials, and other actors who look the other way in exchange for money or sexual favors, or who are themselves coerced, according to a new report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

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The report analyses more than 120 trafficking cases across nearly 80 countries, revealing what it describes as the “hidden links” between corruption and human trafficking. The findings are based on consultations with policymakers, prosecutors, investigators, and independent experts from more than 30 countries.

Human trafficking takes many forms, including sexual exploitation, forced labor, forced begging, organ removal, and illegal adoption. The report finds that corruption permeates and facilitates every stage of these crimes, from recruitment to exploitation and, ultimately, to efforts to evade justice.

During recruitment and transportation, corrupt officials often provide falsified or improperly issued documents, ignore irregularities, or actively collude with fraudulent recruitment agencies and organized criminal networks. At border crossings, bribes and corruption-enabled paperwork allow traffickers to move victims across jurisdictions with little resistance.

Once exploitation begins, corruption makes it difficult or impossible for victims to seek help. The report notes that corrupt practices shield trafficking operations in sectors such as agriculture, construction, fisheries, and domestic work, enabling forced labor, sexual exploitation, and forced criminal activity to continue undetected.

Corruption also undermines anti-trafficking responses, obstructing police investigations, prosecutions, judicial proceedings, and assistance to victims. Officials who are complicit or compromised can derail cases at every stage of the justice process.

UNODC said it is supporting countries in breaking the cycle between corruption and human trafficking by strengthening national laws, including the application of harsher penalties when public officials are involved. The agency is also promoting the establishment of safe and confidential reporting mechanisms for victims.

Other UN agencies are contributing to these efforts. With support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Moldova announced last week that it is enhancing its capacity to identify and combat cross-border crimes, including human trafficking, through the launch of a new Passenger Information Unit (PIU) headquarters.

The PIU is equipped with advanced UN-developed software designed to improve passenger data collection, analysis, and rapid response. Moldova becomes the seventh country to adopt the system, following Norway, Luxembourg, Botswana, Georgia, the Philippines, and Mongolia.