Iranian Envoy Urges UN to Address Root Causes of Human Smuggling

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and member states should address the root causes of human smuggling, and protect the rights of refugees and migrants by reinforcing existing laws against all illegal acts, especially racially-motivated crimes, Khoshroo said during a Wednesday address to the Security Council open debate on Human Trafficking, Modern Slavery, Forced Labour in Conflict Situations.

He further said, “Occupation, war, political instability, terrorism, genocide, ethnic cleansing and foreign aggression created conditions that forced millions to become displaced in their own countries or seek refuge overseas, becoming vulnerable to human trafficking,” according to Press TV.

The Iranian envoy also warned against the upsurge in violence caused by terrorist groups, who view civilians, particularly women and children, as a resource or commodity as is the case with the Takfiri Daesh (ISIL or ISIS) terror group.

He said Daesh treatment of refugees could amount to genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. 

Prior to Khoshroo's speech, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres addressed the participants, saying 21 million people around the world faced forced labor and extreme exploitation, while the perpetrators reaped annual profits estimated at $150 billion.

Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Yury Fedotov also told the meeting that criminals saw a clear, low-risk, high-reward business opportunity in conflict zones.

Armed groups preyed on children while organized crime networks exploited many thousands of people on the move, according to Fedotov.

He called on UN member states to devote greater resources to identifying and helping victims.