"Warnath group experts have been involved in in-depth analysis - working with governments and civil society - to improve anti-trafficking laws and associated policies and practices in countries around the world."
– Stephen Warnath, CEO & President
international protocols & conventions
AFRICAN UNION
2006 Ouagadougou Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings (available in English)
ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS
2015 Plan of Action Against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (available in English)
2015 Convention Against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (available in English)
2004 Declaration Against Trafficking in Persons, Particularly Women and Children (available in English)
BALI PROCESS
2018 Bali Process on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime (available in English)
2015 Policy Guides on Identification of Victims of Trafficking (available in English)
2015 Policy Guides on Protection of Victims of Trafficking (available in English)
2014 Policy Guides on Criminalizing Migrant Smuggling (available in English)
2014 Policy Guides on Criminalizing Trafficking in Persons (available in English)
COORDINATED MEKONG MINISTERIAL INITIATIVE AGAINST TRAFFICKING
2004 Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation Against Trafficking in Greater Mekong Sub-Region (available in English)
COUNCIL OF BALTIC SEA STATES
Task Force against Trafficking in Human Beings Strategic Plan 2020-2025 (available in English)
A Vision for the Baltic Sea Region by 2020, CBSS Summit (available in English)
2016 Baltic Sea Roundup Report (available in English)
COUNCIL OF EUROPE
2005 Convention on Action Against Trafficking in Human Beings (available in English)
ECONOMIC COMMUNITY OF WEST AFRICAN STATES
2002 Initial Plan of Action against Trafficking in Persons (available in English)
2001 Declaration on the Fight against Trafficking in Persons (available in English)
EUROPEAN UNION
2012-2016 EU Strategy towards the Eradication of Trafficking in Human Beings (available in English)
2011 Directive 2011/36/EU on Combating and Preventing Trafficking in Human Beings and Protecting its Victims (available in English)
FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE
2018 FATF Report Financial Flows from Human Trafficking (available in English)
INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT
1998 Rome Statute (available in English)
INTERNATIONAL LABOR ORGANIZATION
2014 Protocol of 2014 and Recommendation R203, supplementing the Forced Labour Convention (available in English)
2011 Convention concerning Decent Work for Domestic Workers (available in English)
1999 Convention concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour (available in English)
1957 Convention concerning the Abolition of Forced Labour (available in English)
1930 Forced Labor Convention 29 (available in English)
For information on which countries are signatories or state parties, please see the International Labor Organization’s website.
KHARTOUM PROCESS
2014-2017 EU-Africa Action Plan on Migration and Mobility (available in English)
2015 Valletta Summit Political Declaration (available in English)
2015 Valletta Summit Action Plan (available in English)
2014 Declaration of the Ministerial Conference of the Khartoum Process (available in English)
2014 Khartoum Declaration on AU-Horn of Africa Initiative on Human Trafficking and Smuggling of Migrants (available in English)
LEAGUE OF ARAB STATES
2012 Comprehensive Arab Strategy for Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, Council of Arab Ministers of Justice Resolution
2010 Arab Initiative to Combat Trafficking in Persons
2008 Arab Framework Act on Combating Trafficking in Persons
2004 Arab Charter on Human Rights (available in English)
ORGANIZATION FOR SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE
2021 OSCE: International Survivors of Trafficking Advisory Council (Leaflet available in English)
2019 Uniform Guidelines for the Identification and Referral of Victims of Human Trafficking within the Migrant and Refugee Reception Framework in the OSCE Region (available in English)
2018 Model Guidelines on Government Measures to Prevent Trafficking for Labour Exploitation in Supply Chains (available in English)
2014 Resolution on Responsibility To Combat Human Trafficking in Government Contracts For Goods And Services
2013 Addendum to the OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings (available in English)
2007 Platform for Action against Human Trafficking (available in English)
2003 OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings (available in English)
ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES
2021 Recommendations of the Sixth Meeting of National Authorities on Trafficking in Persons “Challenges in the Fight against Trafficking in Times of Pandemic” (available in English)
2019 Advancing Hemispheric Security: A Multidimensional Approach (available in English)
2018 Hemispheric Efforts against Trafficking in Persons “Declaration of Mexico” (available in English)
2018 Hemispheric Efforts against Trafficking in Persons (available in English)
2015-2018 Second Work Plan against Trafficking in Persons in the Western Hemisphere, Extended to 2020 (available in English)
2015-2018 Progress Report: Second Work Plan against Trafficking in Persons in the Western Hemisphere (available in English)
2015-2018 Second Work Plan against Trafficking in Persons in the Western Hemisphere (available in English)
2010-2014 Working Plan to Combat Trafficking in Persons in the Western Hemisphere (available in English)
PUEBLA PROCESS
2017 Special Declaration on Migration Related to the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (available in English)
2009 Plan of Action (available in English)
SOUTH AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
2009-2019 SADC Strategic Plan of Action on Combating Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children
UNITED NATIONS
2019 UNSC Resolution 2493 on Trafficking in Person in Conflict Situations (available in English)
2017 Political Declaration on the Implementation of the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (available in English)
2017 UNSC Resolution 2388 on Trafficking in Persons in Conflict Situations (available in English)
2016 UNSC Resolution 2331 on Trafficking in Persons in Conflict Situations (available in English)
2010 United Nations Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons (available in English)
2004 United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols Thereto (available in English)
2002 Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (available in English)
2000 Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, Supplementing the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (available in English)
2000 Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (available in English)
For information on which countries are signatories or state parties, please see the United Nations Website.
national laws
AFGHANISTAN
2018 Penal Code, Articles 510, 511, and 512
2017 Law to Combat Crimes of Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (available in Persian)
2009 Law on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (available in English)
ALBANIA
2015 Amendment to the 1995 Criminal Code, Articles 110 and 128 (unofficial translation available in English)
ALGERIA
2023 Law No. 23-04 (available in Arabic [external link])
2015 Law No. 15-12, Article 143 (available in French) (available in Arabic)
2012 Penal Code Title 2, Article 303 (available in French)
2007 Law No. 14-01
ANDORRA
2005 Criminal Code, Articles 121, 134, 152, 252 (available in French)
ANGOLA
2020 Amendment to the Penal Code, Articles 177, 178, 189, 190, and 196 (draft available in English)
2017 Penal Code (draft available in English)
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
2015 Amendment to the 2010 Trafficking in Persons (Prevention) Act (available in English)
2010 Trafficking in Persons (Prevention) Act (available in English)
ARGENTINA
2012 Law No. 26.842 (available in Spanish)
ARMENIA
2022 Amendment to the Labor Code, Article 3.2 (available in English)
2017 Amendment to the 2003 Criminal Code, Articles 132 and 132-2 (available in English)
2015 Law on Identification and Assistance to Victims of Human Trafficking and Exploitation (draft available in English)
ARUBA
2023 Amendment to the Penal Code, Article 2:239 (available in Dutch)
2022 Amendment to the Penal Code, Article 2.239 (available in English)
2006 Amendment to the Criminal Code, Articles 203a, 286a (available in English)
AUSTRALIA
2018 Modern Slavery Act (available in English)
2017 Amendment to the 1995 Criminal Code (Part 1 available in English) (Part 2 available in English)
2013 Crimes Legislation Amendment (Slavery, Slavery-like Conditions and People Trafficking) Act (available in English)
2013 Crimes Legislation Amendment (Law Enforcement Integrity, Vulnerable Witness Protection and Other Measures) Act (available in English)
2013 Migration Amendment (Reform of Employer Sanctions) Act (available in English)
2007 Migration Amendment (Employer Sanctions) Act (available in English)
Commonwealth Criminal Code of 1995, Divisions 270 and 271 (available in English)
AUSTRIA
Criminal Code, Articles 104a, 116, 217 (available in German)
AZERBAIJAN
2010 Amendment to the 1990 Criminal Code, Article 144 (available in Azerbaijani)
2005 Law on the Fight against Trafficking in Persons (available in English)
THE BAHAMAS
2017 Amendment to the 2008 Trafficking in Persons Prevention and Suppression Act (Act available in English) (Amendment available in English)
BAHRAIN
2012 Labor Law No. 36 (available in English)
2008 Law No. 1 (available in English and Arabic)
Penal Code, Articles 325 and 395
2002 Constitution, Article 19(b) (available in English)
BANGLADESH
2015 Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of India (available in English)
2013 Overseas Employment and Migrants Act (available in English)
2012 Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act (available in English)
BARBADOS
2016 Trafficking in Persons Prevention Act (available in English)
2002 Sexual Offences Act (avaliable in English)
1994 Offenses Against the Person Act, Articles 18, 20, 33, and 34 (available in English)
1938 Recruitment of Workers Act (available in English)
BELARUS
2013 Amendment to the 1999 Criminal Code, Article 181 (available in Russian)
2012 Law No. 350-3 of 7 on Combatting Human Trafficking (available in Russian)
BELGIUM
2007 Amendment to the Aliens Law of 1980 (available in French)
2006 Amendment to the Aliens Law of 1980 (available in Dutch)
2005 Amendment to the 1995 Act Containing Measures to Repress Trafficking in Persons (available in French)
BELIZE
2013 Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (Prohibition) Act (available in English)
2013 Trafficking in Persons (Prevention) Act (available in English)
BENIN
2018 Penal Code, Articles 499-504 (available in French)
2006 Act Relating to the Transportation of Minors and the Suppression of Child Trafficking (available in French)
BHUTAN
2011 Child Care and Protection Act, Section 224 (available in English)
2011 Amendment to the 2004 Penal Code, Articles 154, 227, and 379 (Act available in English) (Amendment available in English)
2007 Labor and Employment Act, Sections 6-10 (available in English)
1980 Marriage Act of Bhutan (available in English)
BOLIVIA
2012 Comprehensive Law Against Trafficking and Smuggling of Persons Law No. 263 (available in Spanish)
1972 Penal Code, Article 281 (available in English)
1972 Penal Code, Articles 132, 281, 291, 321, and 322 (available in Spanish)
Law No. 2033, Article 321
BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINIA
State-Level Criminal Code, Article 186
Brcko District Criminal Code, Article 207a
BOTSWANA
2023 Amendment to the 2014 Anti-Trafficking Law (available in English [external link])
2014 Anti-Human Trafficking Act (available in English)
2009 Children’s Act, Section 57 (available in English)
BRAZIL
2023 Law No. 4224 (available in Portuguese)
2017 Amendment to the 1988 Constitution, Articles 5, 7, 68, 227, and 243 (available in English)
2017 Amendment to the 1940 Penal Code, Articles 149, 231, and 231-A (available in Portuguese)
2016 Law No. 13.344 (available in Portuguese)
BRUNEI
2019 Anti-Trafficking in Persons Order (available in English)
2009 Employment Agencies Order (available in English)
2004 Employment Agencies Order (available in English)
2004 Trafficking and Smuggling of Persons Order (available in English)
1984 Women and Girls Prosecution Act, Chapter 120, Section 5 (available in English)
1951 Laws of the Penal Code, Chapter 22, Articles 359-362, 366, 367, and 370-374 (available in English [external link])
BULGARIA
2023 Amendments to the Criminal Code (available in English)
2014 Amendment to the 1968 Criminal Code, Articles 142, 143, 152, and 159a-d (Penal Code available in English) (Amendment available in Bulgarian)
2003 Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings Act (available in English)
BURKINA FASO
2018 Amendment to the 1996 Penal Code, Articles 511-1 to 511-6 (available in French)
2015 Law No. 061-2015/CNT Law on the Prevention and Repression of Violence Against Women and Girls and Support for Victims (available in French)
2014 Law No. 011-2014/AN Law Suppressing the Sale of Children, the Prostitution of Children, and Child Pornography (available in English)
2008 Law No. 029/AN on the Fight against Trafficking in Persons and Similar Practices (available in English)
BURMA
2022 Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law (available in English)
2019 Child Rights Law, Chapter 5, Articles 17 and 17c (available in Burmese)
2012 Ward and Village Tracts Administration Act (available in English)
2005 Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law (available in English)
1999 Overseas Employment Act (Law No. 3/99) (available in English)
1993 The Child Law, Chapter 5, Article 17c (available in English)
1861 Penal Code, Section 374 (available in English)
BURUNDI
2014 Anti-Trafficking Law (available in French)
2009 Amendment to the 1981 Criminal Code, Articles 242-243 (available in French)
1993 Labor Law, Article 2 (available in French)
CABO VERDE
2015 Amendment to the 2003 Penal Code, Articles 148, 149, 271, and 271A (available in Portuguese)
2007 Labor Code, Article 14 (available in Portuguese)
CAMBODIA
2011 Penal Code, Article 188 (available in English and Khmer)
2008 Law on the Suppression of Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation (available in English)
CAMEROON
2016 Penal Code, Sections 296, 298, 342-1, 352, 353, and 432-1 (available in English) (available in French) (the two versions define “trafficking in persons” differently)
2011 Anti-Trafficking Law (available in English)
CANADA
2017 Amendment to the 1995 Criminal Code, Sections 279.01, 279.011, 279.02, 279.03, and 286.1 (available in English)
2001 Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, Section 118 (available in English)
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
2010 Penal Code, Article 151 (available in English)
2009 Labor Code, Articles 7-8 (available in French)
CHAD
2018 Law on Combatting Trafficking in Persons, Articles 5-7, 15, 17, 19, and 20 (available in Arabic and French)
1996 Constitution, Articles 12, 17-20, and 32 (available in English)
1996 Labor Code, Title 5 (available in French)
1967 Penal Code, Articles 279-280 (available in French)
CHILE
2017 Amendment to the 1874 Penal Code, Articles 367 and 411 quart. (available in Spanish)
2011 Law No. 20.507 (available in Spanish)
CHINA
2007 Amendment to the 1979 Criminal Code, Articles 240, 241, 244, 358, and 359 (available in English)
1992 Women’s Rights and Interests Protection Law (available in English)
COLOMBIA
2005 Law No. 985 (available in Spanish)
2002 Amendment to the 1967 Penal Code, Articles 141, 188, 213, 214, and 217 (available in Spanish)
COMOROS
2014 Law to Combat Child Labor and Trafficking in Children (available in French)
2012 Amendment to the 1984 Labor Code, Article 2 (Labor Code available in French) (Amendment available in French)
1995 Amendment to the 1981 Penal Code, Articles 310, 311, 323, and 333 (available in French)
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
2022 Anti-Trafficking Law (Law No. 22/065) (available in French [external link])
2009 Law No. 09/001, Child Protection Code, Articles 67, 68, 162, 175, 182, 183, and 187 (available in French)
2006 Law No. 6/019, Sexual Violence Statute (available in French)
2006 Law No. 06/018, Sexual Violence Law, Article 17(j)(n) (available in French)
2004 Penal Code, Articles 3, 58, 61, 67, 68, and 172-174 (available in French)
2002 Labor Code, Articles 2, 3, and 326 (available in French)
REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
2019 Law on the Fight Against Human Trafficking (available in French)
2010 Child Protection Code, Articles 60, 68, 115, and 122
2002 Labor Code, Articles 4 and 257
COSTA RICA
2019 Penal Code, Articles 160, 169-172, 175, 189, 192, 193, 376, and 377 (available in Spanish)
2018 Amendment to Law No. 9095 (available in Spanish)
2015 Regulation to Law No. 9095 (available in Spanish)
2012 Law No. 9095 (available in Spanish)
COTE D’IVOIRE
2017 Amendment to the 1981 Penal Code, Articles 335, 336, 376, and 378 (available in French)
2016 Law No. 2016-1111 Relating to the Fight Against Trafficking in Persons (available in French)
2010 Law No. 2010-272 Pertaining to the Prohibition of Child Trafficking and the Worst Forms of Child Labor (available in French)
CROATIA
2011 Amendment to the 1997 Criminal Code, Articles 90, 91, 105, 106, 107, 132, 136, and 169 (available in Croatian) (available in English)
CUBA
2022 Penal Code, Articles 176, 363, and 402 (available in Spanish)
2014 Labor Code, Article 116 (available in Spanish)
2009 Amendment to the 1987 Penal Code, Articles 120, 299.1, 300.1, 302, 303, 310.1, 312.1, 316.1, 317, 347, and 348 (unofficial translation available in English)
CURACAO
2011 Criminal Code, Article 2:239 (available in Dutch)
CYPRUS
2014 Law No. 60(I) (available in Greek)
CZECH REPUBLIC
2024 Amendment to the Decree on Judicial Procedures (available in Czech)
2014 Amendment to the 2009 Criminal Code, Sections 164, 168, 170, 171, 189, and 401 (available in English)
DENMARK
2017 Amendment to the 1930 Criminal Code, Sections 260, 261, 262a, and 266 (available in English)
2013 Administration of Justice Act, Article 722 (available in Dutch)
DJIBOUTI
2016 Law No. 133 On the Fight Against Trafficking in Persons and Illicit Smuggling of Migrants (available in French)
2011 Law No. 111 Regarding the Fight Against Terrorism and Other Serious Crimes (available in French)
2007 Law No. 210 On the Fight Against Trafficking in Human Beings
1995 Penal Code (available in French)
DOMINICA
2013 Transnational Organized Crime (Prevention and Control) Act, Part III, Section 8 (available in English)
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
2007 Amendment to the 1884 Penal Code, Article 334 (available in Spanish)
2003 Law No. 137-03 (available in Spanish)
2003 Law No. 136-03 Code for the Protection and Fundamental Rights of Children and Adolescents, Article 25 (available in Spanish)
ECUADOR
2014 Penal Code, Articles 91, 92, 100, 101, 102, and 105 (available in Spanish)
2003 Children and Adolescents Code, Articles 69, 70, 81, and 91 (available in Spanish)
EGYPT
2014 Constitution, Articles 80 and 89 (available in English)
2010 Anti-Trafficking Law No. 64 (available in English)
2008 Child Law No. 126 (available in English)
EL SALVADOR
2017 Amendment to the 1997 Penal Code, Articles 147-155, 244, 367B, and 370 (available in Spanish)
2014 Special Law Against Trafficking in Persons (available in Spanish)
EQUITORIAL GUINEA
2004 Law on the Smuggling of Migrants and Trafficking in Persons (available in English)
ERITREA
2015 Penal Code, Articles 297, 299, 315-318 and 391 (available in English)
2001 Labor Proclamation No. 118 (available in English)
1957 Penal Code, Articles 565 and 605 (available in English)
ESTONIA
2022 Amendments to the Tax Administration Act (available in Estonian)
2017 Amendment to the 2001 Penal Code, Articles 133, 134, 136, 138, 139, 140, and 175 (available in English)
ESWATINI
2018 The Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Act (available in English)
2012 Children’s Protection and Welfare Act, Article 75 (available in English)
2009 People Trafficking and People Smuggling (Prohibition) Act (available in English)
ETHIOPIA
2020 Proclamation No. 1178/2020 (available in English and Ahmaric)
2015 Proclamation No. 909/2015, To Provide for the Prevention and Suppression of Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling Migrants (available in English and Amharic)
2009 Proclamation No. 632/2009, Employment Exchange Services Proclamation (available in English and Amharic)
FIJI
2009 Crimes Decree (available in English)
FINLAND
2015 Amendment to the 1894 Penal Code, Law No. 1889-39 (available in English)
1995 Penal Code, Chapter 25, Section 3 (available in English)
FRANCE
2016 Amendment to the 1992 Penal Code, Articles 212-1, 224, and 225-4 (available in French)
GABON
2004 Law No. 09/04 Concerning the Prevention and the Fight Against the Trafficking of Children in the Gabonese Republic (available in French)
1994 Law No. 3/94, Labor Code, Title 1, Article 4 (available in French)
1994 Law No. 21/63-94
1963 Penal Code, Articles 48, 260, 261, 264, and 314 (available in French)
THE GAMBIA
2010 Amendment to the 2007 Trafficking in Persons Act (Act available in English) (Amendment available in English)
2005 Children’s Act (available in English)
2003 Tourism Offenses Act (available in English)
GEORGIA
2016 Amendment to the 1999 Criminal Code, Articles 143, 150, 168-171, and 408 (available in English)
2006 Law on Combatting Trafficking in Persons (available in English)
GERMANY
2016 Act to Improve the Fight Against Human Trafficking and to Amend the Federal Central Register Law as well as the Eighth Book of the Social Code (available in German)
2013 Amendment to the 1971 Penal Code, Sections 232, 233, 234, 236, 237, 239, and 240 (available in English)
GHANA
2009 Human Trafficking (Amendment) Act 784 (available in English)
2005 Human Trafficking Act (available in English)
1998 The Children’s Act, Articles 12, 14, 15, 87, and 89-91 (available in English)
GREECE
2013 Law No. 4198/2013 (available in Greek)
2003 Presidential Decree No. 233/2003 (available in English)
2002 Law No. 3064/2002 (available in English)
1951 Penal Code, Articles 323, 349, and 351 (available in Greek)
GRENADA
2014 Anti-Trafficking Law (available in English)
GUATEMALA
2009 Anti-Trafficking Law (available in Spanish)
GUINEA
2016 Penal Code, Articles 323, 324, 328-331, 337-339, 343, and 348-350 (available in French)
2019 Child Code, Articles 298, 385-396, 893, and 894 (available in French)
GUINEA-BISSAU
2011 Public Law No. 12/2011 (available in Portuguese)
2009 Child Code
GUYANA
2023 Anti-Trafficking Law
2005 Combatting Trafficking of Persons Act (available in English)
HAITI
2014 Law No. CL/2014-0010 (available in English)
HONDURAS
2017 Decree No. 130 Penal Code, Articles 219-222 (available in Spanish)
2012 Decree No. 59-2012 Anti-Trafficking Law (available in Spanish)
1985 Penal Code, Articles 148 and 192-195 (available in Spanish)
HONG KONG
2014 Amendment to the 1971 Crimes Ordinance, Sections 129-131 and 137 (available in English)
2013 Prosecution Code, Section 18.1 (available in English)
HUNGARY
2013 Criminal Code, Articles 143, 192, 192(3), 193, 194, 201, 203, and 209 (available in English)
ICELAND
2015 Amendment to the 1940 Criminal Code, Articles 225, 226, and 227a (available in English)
INDIA
2023 Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) (available in English)
2016 Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act (available in English)
2015 Secluded Castes and the Secluded Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Amendment Act (available in English)
2015 Juvenile Justice Act, Section 83(1) (available in English)
2013 Amendment to the 1860 Penal Code, Sections 363, 366, 367, 371, 370, 372, 373, and 374 (available in English)
2012 Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act
1976 Bonded Labor System (Abolition) Act (available in English)
1956 Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act (available in English)
INDONESIA
2022 Sexual Violence Crime Law (available in English)
2017 Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers (available in English)
2014 Child Protection Law (available in Bahasa Indonesia)
2007 Law No. 21-2007 (Anti-Trafficking Law) (available in English)
IRAN
2004 Law on Combating Human Trafficking (available in Persian)
2002 Law to Protect Children and Adolescents (available in Persian)
IRAQ
2012 Anti-Trafficking Law (available in English)
1969 Penal Code, Articles 13, 320, 325, 392, 399, 421, and 425 (availble in English)
IRELAND
2017 Criminal Justice (Sexual Offenses) Act (available in English)
2015 Criminal Law (Sexual Offenses) Bill (available in English)
2013 Amendment to the 2008 Human Trafficking Act (Act available in English) (Amendment available in English)
ISRAEL
2006 Anti-Trafficking Law (available in English)
1977 Penal Law No. 5737-1977, Article 376A (available in English)
ITALY
2003 Measures Against Trafficking in Persons Law (available in English)
1930 Penal Code, Articles 600, 601, 602, and 603 bis (Article 600 available in English) (Article 601 available in English) (Article 602 available in English)
JAMAICA
2014 Criminal Justice Act (available in English)
2007 Trafficking in Persons (Prevention, Suppression, and Punishment) Act (Act available in English) (2013 Amendment available in English) (2018 Amendment available in English)
JAPAN
2008 Amendment to the 1947 Labor Standards Act (available in English)
2007 Amendment to the 1947 Employment Security Law (available in English)
2007 Amendment to the 1947 Child Welfare Law (available in Japanese)
2006 Amendment to the 1907 Penal Code, Articles 220, 223, 224, 225, 226-2 and 227 (available in English)
1999 Act on Regulation of Acts Relating to Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, and the Protection of Children Act No. 52 (available in English)
1956 Prostitution Prevention Law, Articles 7, 8, 10, and 12 (available in Japanese)
JORDAN
2009 Anti-Human Trafficking Law (available in Arabic)
KAZAKHSTAN
2019 Amendment to the 1997 Criminal Code (available in English)
2016 Amendment to the 1997 Penal Code, Articles 68, 128, 135, 125 (3b), 126 (3b), 308, 132, 133, 134, 148, and 270 (available in Kazakh)
KENYA
2014 Victims Protection Act (available in English)
2011 Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act (available in English)
2010 Counter-Trafficking in Persons Act (available in English)
2006 Sexual Offenses Act (available in English)
KIRIBATI
2008 Act to Amend The Measures to Combat Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime Act of 2005 (available in English)
2005 Measures to Combat Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime Act (available in English)
DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA
No information available
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
2023 The Prevention of Trafficking in Persons, Etc. and Victims Protection Act (available in English)
2014 Child Welfare Act, Article 17 (available in English [external link])
2013 Criminal Act, Chapter 31, Articles 288, 289, and 292 (Article 288 available in English) (Article 289 available in English)
2013 Amendment to the 1953 Criminal Code, Chapter 31 (available in English)
2011 Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse, Article 12 (available in English)
2004 Act on the Punishment of Acts of Arranging Sexual Traffic (available in English)
1997 Labor Standards Act, Article 7 (available in English)
1994 Employment Security Act Law N0. 4733 (available in English)
KOSOVO
2013 Law No. 04/L-218 Preventing and Combating Trafficking In Human Beigns and Protecting Victims of Trafficking (available in English)
2002 Criminal Code, Articles 165, 169, 172, 231, and 235 (available in English)
KUWAIT
2016 Amendment to the 2010 New Private Sector Labour Law No. 6 (available in English)
2013 Law No. 91/2013 Combating Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (available in English)
KYRGYZSTAN
2016 Amendment to the 1997 Criminal Code, Articles 124, 159, 160, 161, 170, 171, 173, 260, 261, and 381
2012 Code on Children, Article 10 (available in Russian)
2005 Law on Preventing and Combatting Human Trafficking (available in English)
LAOS
2018 Penal Code, Articles 215 and 262 (available in Lao)
2015 Anti-Trafficking Law, Article 134 (available in Lao)
LATVIA
2013 Amendment to the 1998 Criminal Code, Sections 71-2, 74, 146, 152, 154-1, 154-2, 164, and 165-1 (available in English)
LEBANON
2011 Law No. 164 Anti-Trafficking Law (available in English)
LESOTHO
2011 Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (available in English)
2011 Children’s Protection and Welfare Act Part IX – Trafficking Abduction of Children, Section 77 (available in English)
LIBERIA
2005 Act to Ban Trafficking in Persons (available in English)
LIBYA
2014 Amendment to the 1953 Penal Code, Articles 418, 419, 420, 425, and 426
LITHUANIA
2010 Amendment to the 2000 Criminal Code, Articles 100, 104, 142, 146, 147, 148, 157, and 308 (available in English)
LUXEMBOURG
2018 Bill No. 7008 (available in English)
2017 Amendment to the 1879 Criminal Code, Articles 136 ter, 136 quart, 382-1, 382-2, and 389 (available in French)
MACAU
2008 Law No. 6/2008 (available in English)
NORTH MACEDONIA
2018 Amendment to the 2017 Criminal Code, Articles 418(a) and (d) (available in English)
2013 Amendment to the 1996 Criminal Code, Articles 418-a and 418-d (available in Macedonian)
MADAGASCAR
2014 Law No. 2014-040 (available in French)
2007 Anti-Trafficking Law No. 2007-038 (available in English)
2007 Decree No. N2007-563, Articles 13-15 (available in French)
2004 Labor Code, Article 4 (available in French)
MALAWI
2015 Anti-Trafficking Law (available in English)
MALAYSIA
2018 Penal Code, Articles 12, 360, 362, 363, 365-368, 370-372, and 374
2015 Amendment to the 2007 Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (available in English)
2006 Amendment to the Immigration Act 1959/63 (available in English)
1995 Employment Act, Section 99A
MALDIVES
2013 Prevention of Human Trafficking Act, Articles 11-27 (unofficial translation available in English)
MALI
2012 Law No. 2012-023 Relating to the Combat Against Trafficking in Persons and Similar Practices (available in French)
MALTA
2016 Amendment to the 1854 Criminal Code, Article 248A-G (available in English)
MARSHALL ISLANDS
2017 Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons Act (available in English)
MAURITANIA
2020 Law on the Prevention and Punishment of Trafficking in Persons (available in French)
2015 Anti-Slavery Law (available in French)
2013 Law No. 2013-011, Article 1
2003 Law No. 025 On Suppression of Trafficking in Persons (available in English)
Penal Code for Children, Article 54
MAURITIUS
2020 The Children’s Act (Act No. 13 0f 2020) (available in English)
2009 Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act (available in English)
2008 Judicial Provisions Act (available in English)
2005 Child Protection Act (available in English)
MEXICO
2012 Anti-Trafficking Law (available in Spanish)
MICRONESIA
2012 Anti-Trafficking Law (available in English)
MOLDOVA
2017 Amendment to the 2002 Criminal Code, Articles 165, 168, and 206 (available in English)
2005 The Law on Preventing and Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings (available in English)
2003 Labor Code, Article 7 (available in English)
1994 Constitution, Article 44 (available in English)
MONGOLIA
2021 Labour Code, Article 8 (unofficial translation available in English)
2017 Amendment to the 2002 Criminal Code, Articles 12.3, 13.1, 16.1, 16.4, 113, 124, and 168 (available in Mongolian)
MONTENEGRO
2007 Constitution, Articles 28 and 63 (available in English)
2004 Amendment to the 2003 Criminal Code, Articles 210, 444, 445, and 446 (available in English)
MOROCCO
2016 Anti-Human Trafficking Law 27.14 (available in French)
2004 Amendment to the 1962 Penal Code, Articles 467-2, 475, 486, and 497-499 (available in French) (available in Arabic)
2003 Labor Code, Article 10 (available in French)
2003 Law No. 02-03 (available in Arabic)
2003 Asylum and Migration in Maghreb, Law No. 02-03, Articles 52, 53, and 73 (available in English)
MOZAMBIQUE
2014 Penal Code (available in Portuguese)
2008 Law on Preventing and Combating the Trafficking of People, Articles 196 and 198 (available in English)
NAMIBIA
2018 Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act (available in English)
2015 Child Care and Protection Act (available in English)
2009 Prevention of Organized Crime Act (available in English)
2006 Amendment to the 1980 Combatting of Immoral Practices Act (available in English)
NEPAL
2017 Labour Act, Articles 4 and 164
2007 Foreign Employment Act (available in English)
2007 Human Trafficking and Transportation (Control) Act (available in English)
2002 Bonded Labor (Prohibition) Act (available in English)
2000 Child Labor (Prohibition and Regulation) Act (available in English)
NETHERLANDS
2022 Act Criminalizing the Abuse of Prostitues Who Are Victims of Hman Trafficking (available in Dutch)
2017 Amendment to the 1881 Criminal Code, Articles 273f, 274-278, and 281 (available in Dutch)
NEW ZEALAND
2015 Amendment to the 1961 Crimes Act, Article 98, Amended in 2015 (available in English)
2009 Immigration Act, Section 351 (available in English)
2003 Prostitution Reform Act, Sections 20 and 21 (available in English)
1961 Crimes Act, Articles 98 AA and 98 D (available in English)
NICARAGUA
2015 Law No. 896 Against Human Trafficking (available in Spanish)
2007 Penal Code Law No. 641, Articles 182, 183, and 315 (available in English)
2005 Amendment to the 1987 Constitution, Article 40 (available in English)
NIGER
2010 Order No. 2012-86 on Cambating Trafficking in Persons (available in French)
1961 Penal Code, Articles 208.2, 269, 270, and 368 (available in French)
NIGERIA
2015 Amendment to the 2013 Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition), Enforcement and Administration Act (available in English)
2003 Child Rights Act, Sections 28 and 30 (available in English)
NORTHERN IRELAND
2015 Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act (available in English)
NORWAY
2015 Amendment to the 1902 Penal Code, Sections 257 and 258 (available in English)
OMAN
2014 Sultani Decree No. 22/2014 Promulgating the Child Law (available in Arabic)
2008 Royal Decree No. 126/2008 Law Combating Trafficking in Persons (available in Arabic)
PAKISTAN
2018 Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act (available in English)
2016 Amendment to the 1860 Penal Code, Sections 366A, 369A, 370, 371, and 374 (available in English)
1992 Bonded Labor System (Abolition) Act (available in English)
PALAU
2023 Amendment to the Penal Code via the Anti-Smuggling and Human Trafficking Act (available in English)
2014 Criminal Code, Sections 2106-2108 (available in English)
2005 Anti-Smuggling and Trafficking Act (available in English)
PANAMA
2015 Amendment to the 2007 Penal Code, Articles 180, 186, and 456 (available in Spanish)
2011 Law No. 79 (available in Spanish)
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
2013 Criminal Code Amendment Act, Article 208 (available in English)
PARAGUAY
2012 Comprehensive Anti-Trafficking Law No. 4788 (available in Spanish)
2008 Law No. 3440/08, Articles 129b and 129c (available in Spanish)
1997 Penal Code, Article 139 (available in Spanish)
PERU
2021 Amendment to the 1991 Penal Code, Article 129 (available in Spanish)
2015 Amendment to the 1991 Penal Code, Article 153 (available in Spanish)
Legislative Decree No. 1232, Article 168-B
PHILIPPINES
2022 Act No. 11930 Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Explotation Materials Act (available in English [external link])
2012 Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (available in English)
2003 Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (available in English)
1991 Republic Act 7610: Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act, Sections 12-D and 16 (available in English)
POLAND
2016 Amendment to the 1997 Criminal Code, Articles 115.22, 115.23, 118a.2, 189, 197, 203, and 204.3 (available in Polish)
PORTUGAL
2017 Amendment to the 1982 Penal Code, Articles 159, 160, 169, and 175 (available in Portguese)
2017 Amendment to the 2003 Labor Code, Article 7 (available in Portuguese)
1995 Penal Code, Articles 154, 154b, 158, 159, 160, 169, 174, and 175 (available in Portguese)
QATAR
2020 Law No. 17 Determining the National Minimum Wage for Workers and Domestic Workers (available in English)
2017 Law No. 15 (unofficial translation available in English)
2011 Anti-Trafficking Law (available in English)
2004 Penal Code, Articles 318, 321, 322, and 325 (available in English)
ROMANIA
2020 Amendment to the 2009 Criminal Code, Articles 182, 205, 209, 210, 211-214, 216, 217, 367, and 439 (available in English)
RUSSIA
2017 Amendment to the 1996 Criminal Code, Articles 240, 240.1, 241, 127.1, 127.2, and 290 (available in Russian)
2017 Amendment to the 2001 Labor Code, Article 4 (available in English)
RWANDA
2018 Law on the Prevention, Suppression, and Punishment of Trafficking-in-Persons and Exploitation of Others (available in English, French and Kinyarwanda)
2018 Labor Code Law No. 66/2018, Articles 8 and 72 (available in English)
2012 Penal Code, Chapter 8 (available in English)
2012 Law Relating to the Rights and Protection of the Child, Article 51 (available in English)
2012 Organic Law No. 01/2012/OL (available in English, French, and Kinyarwanda)
SAINT LUCIA
2021 No. 3 of 2021 Counter-Trafficking Act (available in English)
2010 Counter-Trafficking Act (available in English)
2006 Labor Code, Article 6 (available in English)
SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
2011 Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act (available in English)
SINT MAARTEN
2012 Penal Code, Articles 2:239-245
SAUDI ARABIA
2009 Suppression of the Trafficking in Persons Act (Royal Decree No. M/40) (unofficial English translation available)
SCOTLAND
2015 Human Trafficking and Exploitation Bill (available in English)
SENEGAL
2005 Law to Combat Trafficking in Persons and Related Practices to Protect Victims (available in English)
SERBIA
2016 Amendment to the 2005 Criminal Code, Articles 388 and 390 (available in Serbian)
SEYCHELLES
2014 Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons Act (available in English)
2012 Amendment to the 1955 Penal Code, Sections 250, 251, and 259 (available in English)
1955 Criminal Code (available in English)
SIERRA LEONE
2022 Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Act (available in English)
2012 Sexual Offenses Act (available in English)
2007 Child Rights Act (available in English)
2007 Domestic Violence Act (available in English)
2005 Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (available in English)
1956 Laws of Sierra Leone, Chapter 215
SINGAPORE
2016 Amendment to the 1961 Women’s Charter, Articles 140-141 (available in English)
2014 Prevention of Human Trafficking Act (available in English)
2009 Amendment to the 1990 Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (available in English)
1968 Employment Act (available in English)
1871 Penal Code, Articles 366, 367, and 370-374 (available in English)
SLOVAKIA
2017 Amendment to the 2005 Criminal Code, Sections 39 and 179 (available in Slovak)
SLOVENIA
22012 Amendment to the 2008 Criminal Code, Articles 112, 113, and 175 (available in English) (available in Slovenian)
SOLOMON ISLANDS
2016 Penal Code (Amendment) Sexual Offenses Bill, Articles 143 and 145 (available in English)
2012 Immigration Act (available in English)
SOMOLIA
2012 Provisional Constitution, Articles 14 and 29(6) (available in English)
1962 Penal Code, Articles 408(1), 455-457, and 464 (available in English)
SOUTH AFRICA
2016 Amendment to the 2005 Children’s Act (Act available in English) (Amendment Act available in English) (Second Amendment Act available in English)
2014 Amendment to the 2007 Sexual Offenses Act (Act available in English) (Amendment available in English)
2014 Amendment to the 1997 Basic Conditions of Employment Act (available in English)
2013 Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act (available in English)
2007 Amendment to the 1998 Prevention of Organized Crime Act (available in English)
SOUTH SUDAN
2017 Labor Act (available in English)
2008 Penal Code, Articles 254, 258, 276-279, and 282 (available in English)
2008 Child Act, Articles 31 and 32 (available in English)
SPAIN
2015 Amendment to the 1995 Criminal Code, Article 177 bis (available in Spanish)
SRI LANKA
2006 Amendment to the 1883 Penal Code, Articles 360(A), 360(B), and 360(C) (available in English)
2005 Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution Act No. 30 (available in English)
SUDAN
2014 Combatting of Human Trafficking Act (available in English)
2007 Armed Forces Act, Article 14 (available in English)
SURINAME
2015 Amendment to the 1911 Criminal Code, Articles 307 and 334 (available in Dutch)
SWEDEN
2020 Amendment to the 1965 Penal Code, Chapter 4, Sections 1a and 1b, and Chapter 6, Section 9 (available in English and Swedish)
2002 Anti-Trafficking Law
SWITZERLAND
2017 Amendment to the 1937 Penal Code, Articles 180-182 and 195-196 (available in English)
SYRIA
2013 Law No. 11/2013 (available in Arabic)
2010 Decree No. 3/2010 (available in Arabic)
TAIWAN
2022 Criminal Code, Articles 231, 296, and 302 (available in English)
2009 Human Trafficking Prevention and Control Act (available in English)
2005 The Children and Youth Sexual Exploitation Prevention Act (available in English)
TAJIKISTAN
2014 Law On Counteracting Trafficking In Persons And Providing Support To Victims Of Trafficking In Persons (available in English)
2011 Amendment to the 1998 Criminal Code, Articles 130.1, 130.2, 132, 167, and 241.2 (available in English)
TANZANIA
2011 Children’s Act, Article 102 (available in English)
2009 Law of the Child Act (available in English)
2008 Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (available in English)
2005 Employment Act (available in English)
2004 Employment and Labor Relations Act (available in English)
THAILAND
2019 Amendment to the 2008 Anti-Trafficking Law (available in English)
2016 Beggar Control Act (available in Thai)
2008 Anti Trafficking Law (available in English)
2008 Amendments to the Criminal Code, Sections 282, 283, and 312 (available in English)
TIMOR-LESTE
2017 Law on Preventing and Combating Human Trafficking (available in Portuguese)
2012 Labor Code, Article 67 (available in English)
2009 Penal Code, Articles 155 and 162-165 (available in English)
2003 Immigration Asylum Act Law No. 9/2003 (available in English)
TOGO
2015 Amendment to the Penal Code, Articles 317-320 (available in French)
2007 Child Code (available in French)
2006 Labor Code, Article 4 (available in French)
2005 Law Related to Child Trafficking (available in English) (available in French)
1990 Penal Code, Articles 317, 318, 319, and 320 (available in French)
TONGA
2013 Counter Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime Act (available in English)
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
2011 Trafficking in Persons (available in English)
1969 Immigration Act (available in English)
TUNISIA
2016 Law No. 61 Relating to the Prevention and the Fight Against Human Trafficking (available in French)
2012 Amendment to the 1913 Penal Code, Article 171 (available in French)
TURKEY
2016 Amendment to the 2004 Criminal Code, Articles 80, 117, and 227(1) (available in English)
TURKMENISTAN
2016 Law No. 454-V Anti-Trafficking Law (available in Russian)
2016 Amendment to the 1997 Criminal Code, Article 129 (available in Russian)
UGANDA
2016 Children (Amendment) Act (available in English)
2009 Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act (available in English)
UKRAINE
2010 Amendment to the 2001 Criminal Code, Article 149 (available in English)
2001 Law on the Protection of Childhood, Article 32 (available in English)
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
2023 Federal Law No. 24 (available in English)
2017 Federal Law No. 10 (available in English)
2015 Amendment to 2006 Federal Law No. 51 (available in English)
UNITED KINGDOM
2015 Modern Slavery Act (available in English)
For information on the laws of Northern Ireland and Scotland, please see the individual entries for these countries.
UNITED STATES
2000 Trafficking Victims Prevention Act (available in English) (reauthorized in 2003, 2005, 2008, and 2013)
2012 Executive Order Strengthening Protections Against Trafficking in Persons in Federal Contract (available in English)
Title 18 US Code, Chapter 77 (available in English[external link])
URUGUAY
2014 Amendment to the 1967 Penal Code, Articles 280-281 (available in English)
2008 Immigration Law, Articles 78, 79, and 81 (available in Spanish)
2004 Sexual Violence Law No. 17.815, Articles 4-6 (available in Spanish)
1927 Law No. 8.080, Articles 1 and 2 (available in Spanish)
UZBEKISTAN
2022 Amendment to the 1995 Labour Code (avalible in Uzbek)
1995 Criminal Code, Articles 135 and 148 (available in English)
VANUATU
2006 Counter Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime Act, Articles 34 and 35 (available in English)
2006 Amendment to the 1981 Penal Code Act Cap 135 (available in English)
VENEZUELA
2012 Amendment to the 2005 Law on Organized Crime (available in Spanish)
2007 Law on Women’s Rights (available in Spanish)
VIETNAM
2015 Amendment to the 1999 Penal Code, Articles 119, 120, 150, and 151 (available in English)
2011 Law No. 66/2011/QH12 Law on the Prevention of and Combat against Human Trafficking (available in English)
YEMEN
2002 Child Rights Law, Article 161
1994 Penal Code, Articles 248 and 279 (available in English)
ZAMBIA
2019 Employment Act (available in English)
2008 Anti-Trafficking Act (available in English)
ZIMBABWE
2015 Labour Relations Amendment Act (available in English)
2014 Trafficking in Persons Act (available in English)
2009 Amendment to the 2004 Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (available in English)