United Nations Economic and Social Council Distr. As the world commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Human Rights, it is sad to note that many thousands of individuals throughout the world are stripped of their basic rights every day.
Trafficked women are neither free nor are they equal in dignity and rights.
Trafficked women are enslaved and held in servitude. They are subject to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and punishment, and they are denied the right to a standard of living adequate for health. All in direct contrast to the articles of the declaration. At the 42nd session of the Commission on the Status of Women, governments and NGO's expressed outrage at the growing industry of trafficking in girls and young women. International Conferences and expert meetings were held to formulate and discuss solutions.