Human-rights approach
The concept of human rights derives directly from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which defines human rights as universal, inalienable, indivisible and interdependent. The definition used by La Strada is based on two central aspects of human-rights approach – empowerment and the enforcement of the international human-rights framework.
In the anti-trafficking field, a human-rights approach also includes, on the one hand, the enforcement of human rights by providing assistance and compensations and enabling empowerment, and on the other, by seeking justice through the prosecution of traffickers.
In practice, human-rights approach:
- is based on the recognition that trafficking in persons is both a cause and effect of the violation of human rights;
- is based on the recognition that states are accountable for violations of human rights, including forced labour and practices akin to slavery;
- allows the root causes of trafficking, such as gender and ethnic discrimination, to be addressed by empowering potential victims;
- addresses the consequences of trafficking by promoting respect for the protection of the human rights of trafficked persons and by opposing the use of trafficked persons solely as instruments for the prosecution;
- includes assistance and support of trafficked persons so as to allow them to regain control over their lives and reduce the risk of re-trafficking;
opposes anti-trafficking measures which adversely affect or infringe upon the human rights of trafficked persons or other affected groups; it integrates the norms, standards and principles of the international human-rights system into legislation, policies, programs and processes.